Solar power next to wind turbines

7,040 Panel Solar PV set up near Slayton, MN - on grid in 2013

The 2 Megawatt solar powered system is now connected to Xcel Energy's grid.  Ecos Energy is attempting to pair the solar system with a nearby wind turbine in the hopes of balancing out the electrical load.  Wind tends to blow more strongly at night than the day. 

A full article on the Solar PV is available at the Star Tribune.

The solar panels are manufactured by Slayton, Minnesota Solar Panels Website: SolarPanels-Energy.

A Minnesota 2020 article The Northern Sunshine State points out that solar panels as currently designed operate more efficiently at colder temperatures making Minnesota's solar energy resources comparable to those in southern states.

The Rural Minnesota Energy Board provides a pdf on Utility Scale Solar Energy in Minnesota comparing solar and wind energy production.

http://www.dglobe.com/event/image/id/32031/headline/Solar%20farm/

 

 Click on the link above for an article in the Worthington Daily Globe.