MPR News | Nina Moini, Kirsti Marohn and Aleesa Kuznetsov, November 13 Earlier this month, Minnesota-based Xcel Energy announced it wants to double the amount of lithium battery storage it already planned to install next to its Sherco coal-fired power plant in central Minnesota. The batteries would allow Xcel to store energy produced at its wind, solar, nuclear andContinueContinue reading “How battery storage is playing a role in Minnesota’s clean energy transition”
Category Archives: Minnesota
Minnesota approves first stand-alone battery system, a key step toward a clean energy future
MPR News | Dan Kraker, August 16 Minnesota utility regulators have approved the state’s first stand-alone energy storage project, an important milestone in Minnesota’s effort to transition to producing completely carbon-free electricity. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a site permit for the 150-megawatt Snowshoe Energy Storage Project, which will be built on an 18-acreContinueContinue reading “Minnesota approves first stand-alone battery system, a key step toward a clean energy future”
Minnesota regulators approve two solar projects to ramp up reliability
Daily Energy Insider | Kim Riley, July 8 Toward improving system reliability, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) July 1 approved two renewable energy projects that together will add more than 475 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity to the state’s grid. “These approvals represent a significant step forward in Minnesota’s clean energy transition,” saidContinueContinue reading “Minnesota regulators approve two solar projects to ramp up reliability”
Tariffs threaten renewable energy development and rural economies
Center for Rural Affairs | Mallory Trope, June 5 Despite record-high wind and solar generation, the U.S. renewable energy sector faces uncertainty. Tariffs and potential repeals of federal funding are creating roadblocks to the further buildout of energy projects. Wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects have helped revitalize rural communities by creating jobs, generatingContinueContinue reading “Tariffs threaten renewable energy development and rural economies”
Heliene opens 500-MW solar panel assembly facility in Minneapolis area
Solar Power World | Kelly Pickerel, June 2 Heliene officially cut the ribbon on its new solar module assemble facility in Rogers, Minnesota. The 500-MW site has been operational since April 29. Heliene also operates two panel assembly lines in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, with a capacity of 800 MW. The company’s total U.S. manufacturing capacity isContinueContinue reading “Heliene opens 500-MW solar panel assembly facility in Minneapolis area”
Column: Transmission project increases energy grid reliability in Minnesota
DL-Online | Cora Hoffer, May 30 DETROIT LAKES — A newly approved transmission line project will add thousands of megawatts (MW) to Minnesota’s energy grid, improving energy reliability and efficiency across the state. In April, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s Minnesota Energy Connection (MEC) transmission project. The project consists of a 174-mile, 345-kilovoltContinueContinue reading “Column: Transmission project increases energy grid reliability in Minnesota”
Xcel lets loose a small army of hungry sheep to keep its solar farm in order
Star Tribune | Walker Orenstein, May 29 CLEAR LAKE, MINN. — Sheep clambered out of a trailer, rushed down a ramp and spilled into a field of knee-high grass covered by rows of solar panels. Some leaped as they exited, joining the chorus of bleats and laughter from the humans watching. The animals deployed ThursdayContinueContinue reading “Xcel lets loose a small army of hungry sheep to keep its solar farm in order”
Clean energy in Minnesota is reliable, affordable and resilient
MinnPost | Gregg Mast and Lisa Jacobson, April 25 Minnesota doesn’t just talk about clean energy; we deliver results. The latest data shows we’re ahead of the curve and setting the pace for the rest of the Midwest. The newly released 2025 Minnesota Energy Factsheet, produced by Clean Energy Economy MN and the Business CouncilContinueContinue reading “Clean energy in Minnesota is reliable, affordable and resilient”
Report: More MN electricity is clean and homegrown
Public News Service | Mike Moen, April 21 Minnesota is becoming less reliant on energy imports to power up homes and businesses. That’s a key finding in the latest summary of contributions from renewable sources. The 2025 fact sheet from Clean Energy Economy Minnesota shows the state imported just 11% of the total electricity it usedContinueContinue reading “Report: More MN electricity is clean and homegrown”
Report: Minnesota No. 4 in the U.S. in installed wind capacity
Twin Cities Pioneer Press | Pat Minelli, February 8, 2025 Minnesota is now No. 4 in the nation in installed wind capacity, according to the quarterly U.S. wind energy rankings published by the American Wind Energy Association in January. Three new, large wind farms that came online late last year pushed Minnesota to No. 4,ContinueContinue reading “Report: Minnesota No. 4 in the U.S. in installed wind capacity”