In a major expansion of its commitment to solar power, the Dayton administration is seeking bids for electric power from large shared-solar projects with the aim of reducing costs and the carbon footprint of the Capitol complex and other state government buildings.
Xcel Energy, the largest utility in the state, recently began allowing the projects, called community solar gardens, in Minnesota. Xcel customers now can subscribe to a share of the electricity from a centrally located solar garden, rather than install their own rooftop solar panels.
"Minnesota has been a national leader in the clean energy economy … and this is an important opportunity for the state to be pursuing in its own operations that same clean energy portfolio," said Commissioner Matt Massman of the state Department of Administration, which issued the bid request.
Solar companies are being asked to submit proposals by mid-November to supply more than 11 million watts of electric generating capacity — enough to offset about 30 percent of the power used by the state at 29 locations, including 23 buildings in the State Capitol complex, said Curtis Yoakum, an assistant commissioner of administration.
It is the first time the state has sought to participate in solar gardens.
Hundreds of solar gardens have been proposed by independent energy companies, but only one has been built. The slow rollout has frustrated the program's supporters.
No upfront investment will be required by the state because energy companies plan to finance, build and operate the solar projects, signing up customers for a share of their output for 25 years. The state buildings would still get all of their electricity from Xcel, but the state's share of solar output would be credited to the agencies' electric bills.
To supply the state's request, solar companies will need to offer subscriptions to multiple solar gardens because no single customer can take more than 40 percent of a single project. In its bid request, the state said developers can propose solar gardens on state land in Arden Hills and Rosemount. No rooftop solar bids are being sought.