The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a site permit for the 180-megawatt Lemon Hill Solar Plant, a joint venture of Ranger Power LLC and DESRI Holdings LP in Olmsted County, requiring mitigation measures to address significant community opposition.
The Public Utilities Commission decision on Oct. 22 followed a review and analysis of the project's potential impacts and consideration of input from the local community and other stakeholders concerned about the project.
"We know this project has generated strong feelings in the community, and many people took the time to share thoughtful and detailed comments about its potential impacts. Public input is a critical part of this process, and many of the mitigation measures in this permit were added or strengthened because of what we heard," Commissioner John Tuma said in an Oct. 23 statement. "At the same time, the Commission must apply the laws and rules that govern energy facility siting, and the record shows that this project meets those legal requirements."
The mitigation measures aim to protect groundwater, private wells, farmland, karst geology and farmland.
The project is underpinned by a power purchase agreement with Xcel Energy Inc., which the commission approved in March.
Ranger Power is developing the project, while DESRI plans to own and operate the facility.
As part of the facility, the companies plan to construct a new project substation and a 161-kilovolt generation tie line connecting the new substation to the Dairyland substation owned by Dairyland Power Cooperative.
The facility is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 and start commercial operation in 2028.
According to the project's website it will generate $33 million in new tax revenue over the project's lifespan.
The project is in PUC docket 25-126.
