XCEL Announces Minnesota Solar Gardens Plan - Solar Backers Critical

 XCEL Energy put forward its proposed rules for Minnesota solar gardens.  The 20 megawatt program would release new capacity each quarter.  Payments for the power are set fairly low, at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour.

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The latest from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Xcel Energy opens way for solar gardens

• Article by: DAVID SHAFFER , Star Tribune
• Updated: October 1, 2013 - 5:13 AM

Xcel will offer an opportunity to invest in a community solar project, but two energy developers say the utility isn’t paying enough for the power.

Xcel plans to build more solar arrays like this one, the first community solar array in Minnesota

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The Minneapolis-based utility, which already offers this option in Colorado, filed plans with state regulators for a Minnesota solar garden program. Such projects, also known as community solar, are authorized under a 2013 state law mandating that large utilities get 1.5 percent of their power from the sun by 2020.

Read more:  http://www.startribune.com/business/225849121.html

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And from Minnesota Public Radio:

Solar energy backers criticize Xcel solar garden plan

by Elizabeth Dunbar, Minnesota Public Radio

October 1, 2013

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota solar developers say they're disappointed in Xcel Energy's plans for community solar gardens, which allow people to buy into a part of a solar energy project and get credit on their utility bills instead of installing solar panels on their homes.

Xcel says it will put up to 20 megawatts of community generated solar power on its system in the next two years to help the utility meet a new solar energy standard.

Read more:  http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/10/01/solar-backers-criticize-xcel-solar-garden-plan