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Distributed Energy Resources

Public Power Solar Project in Minnesota Begins Commercial Operation

The Marshall Solar Plus project, owned by the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and operated by Missouri River Energy Services, began commercial operation in December 2024.

The project is located on 78 acres just outside of Marshall, Minnesota.

Constructed over two years, MSP is rated at a capacity of 10 megawatts and includes a 5-MW battery-storage facility. The facility features more than 21,000 solar panels and is expected to generate approximately 21,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually.

MSP interconnects to an adjacent substation owned by Marshall Municipal Utilities, a community-owned electric utility and member of MRES.

“Solar power is a carbon-free, renewable resource that along with the battery storage plays a critical role in building a clean and resilient energy future,” said Terry Wolf, vice president of power supply and operations for MRES. “MSP is an important addition to our diversified power supply portfolio, helping us meet our sustainability objectives while delivering reliable energy to our member communities.”

WMMPA installed the 5-MW battery-storage system to enhance the project’s efficiency and reliability. The battery system has controls that allow energy to be stored or dispatched to the electric grid at the times of the day when solar is not producing energy.

MRES expects to host a dedication ceremony for the project in spring 2025.

MRES is a not-for-profit joint-action agency that provides wholesale electricity and energy-related services to 61 member municipalities in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

WMMPA was incorporated on June 16, 1976, as a municipal corporation and political subdivision of Minnesota.

WMMPA has a formal relationship with MRES through which WMMPA finances the construction and acquisition of the generation and transmission facilities for MRES members.

MRES provides the administrative services to manage WMMPA’s portfolios. WMMPA’s membership includes most of the Minnesota members of MRES.