In a sign that the sun may finally be shining on solar energy, an administrative law judge in Minnesota has found that a plan to build distributed solar arrays and supply renewable-energy credits delivers life-cycle value superior to rival proposals to build combustion-turbine plants. He recommends the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission select the solar developer's proposal.
Geronimo Energy, Edina, Minn., was the lone developer offering solar energy in response to a call from Xcel Energy Inc. for 150 MW of capacity by 2017 and possibly 500 MW by 2019. Geronimo proposed a ground-mounted single-tracker system of photovoltaic panels with 130 MW of direct-current capacity, yielding 100 MW of alternating current. The proposed system would be distributed over 20 sites, ranging from 2 MW to 10 MW, located near distribution sub-stations, thus making no demand on transmission capacity. The total estimated cost would be $250 million, or $2.5 million per installed MW, says Betsy Engelking, Geronimo vice president.