HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-22 PACKET 08.2.Cottage
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here Pride andProsPerity Meet
TO: Planning Commission Members
FROM: John McCool, Senior Planner
DATE: August 17, 2016
RE: Solar Energy Systems Update
Introduction
At the July 25, 2016 Planning Commission meeting, questions were asked about the four proposed
community solar garden projects approved by the City this year and what the status is for each
project.
Background
The Solar Collection System Ordinance (Ord. No. 948) was adopted on October 7, 2016. This ordi-
nance required community solar gardens or solar farms to be within the red colored areas as shown
on the city base map below.
Memorandum to Planning Commission
Solar Energy Systems — Project Update
August 17, 2016
Page 2 of 3
In 2016, the City received and reviewed five conditional use permit applications for community solar
gardens. A summary of these proposed projects is highlighted below.
At the July 25, 2016 Planning Commission, City staff was asked to provide an update on the pro-
posed community solar garden projects that have been approved by the City.
Community Solar Garden Project Update
Ecoplexus Inc. — They are planning to begin construction in the spring of 2017 and currently in
the process of finalizing their engineering with Xcel over the next few months.
CGSun, LLC. — They are still working with Xcel Energy and are currently the fourth solar project
in queue for interconnection to Xcel's substation. They will not be able to move forward with their
project until the three projects ahead of them are constructed and connected to the grid.
PROJECT
PLANNING
CITY COUNCIL
BUILDING PERMIT
APPLICANT
LOCATION
PROJECT SIZE
COMMISSION
ACTION
APPLICATION
RECOMMENDATION
RECIEVED
One-quarter of a
Approx. 80 acres of
Approved
mile south of 70th
land
Approval
Res. No. 2016-022
Ecoplexus Inc.
Street and east of
No
Old Cottage Grove
Five one -megawatt
Dec. 21, 2015
Jan. 20, 2016
systems
South of 70th Street
37.7 acres of land
Approval
Approved
CGSun, LLC
and east of Lamar
Res. No. 2016-046
No
Fields
Four one -megawatt
February 22, 2016
systems
Mar. 16, 2016
50 -acre site
Approval
Approved
Minnesota Solar
9105 Lehigh Ave.
Res. No. 2016-045
No
Connection
Five one -megawatt
Feb. 22, 2016
systems
Mar. 16, 2016
Ord. amendment,
101 acres of land
Variance and CUP
Denial
Sunrise
11576 Point
Denial
Res. No. 2016-117
N/A
Development, LLC
Douglas Drive South
Five one -megawatt
March 28, 2016
systems
April 25, 2016
June 15, 2016
May 23, 2016
SEV MN1, LLC a
32 acres of land
Approval
Approved
subsidiary of Sunrise
10990 Manning Ave.
Res. No. 2016-123
No
Energy Ventures
Five one -megawatt
June 27, 2016
systems
July 20, 2016
At the July 25, 2016 Planning Commission, City staff was asked to provide an update on the pro-
posed community solar garden projects that have been approved by the City.
Community Solar Garden Project Update
Ecoplexus Inc. — They are planning to begin construction in the spring of 2017 and currently in
the process of finalizing their engineering with Xcel over the next few months.
CGSun, LLC. — They are still working with Xcel Energy and are currently the fourth solar project
in queue for interconnection to Xcel's substation. They will not be able to move forward with their
project until the three projects ahead of them are constructed and connected to the grid.
Memorandum to Planning Commission
Solar Energy Systems — Project Update
August 17, 2016
Page 3 of 3
Minnesota Solar Connection — Project status is unknown at this time. Minnesota Solar Connec-
tion has not returned staff's phone call or email message.
Sunrise Energy Ventures — They are planning to begin construction in the spring of 2017 and
are currently in the process of finalizing their engineering with Xcel over the next few months.
A summary of the solar companies' status in working with Xcel Energy to finalize their community
solar garden projects is shown below.
PROJECT IN
STUDY
FIRST PAYMENT
APPLICATION
CONTRACT
CONSTRUCTION
APPLICANT
DESIGN WITH
RESULTS SENT
RECEIVED BY
IN REVIEW
SIGNED
START DATE
XCEL
TO APPLICANT
XCEL
Ecoplexus Inc.
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Spring 2017
Unknown at this
CGSun, LLC
Yes
No
No
No
No
time
Minnesota Solar
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Connection
Sunrise Energy
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Spring 2017
Ventures