Judge recommends approval of site permit for Gopher State Solar near Bird Island, Minnesota
Judge Kristien R.E. Butler in findings filed June 2 recommended that the Public Utilities Commission approve a site permit for the Gopher State Solar Project.
Butler found that the project meets environmental and other requirements, and that Gopher State Solar made commitments to address issues raised by
and a neighboring landowner during hearings on the project.
The Public Utilities Commission is expected to consider the permit application possibly as early as July, according to information provided at the public hearings.
Gopher State Solar is proposing a 200-megawatt solar farm north of Bird Island in Kingman, Osceola and Bird Island townships. The company has secured a 1,645-acre area and will place solar panels on 977 of those acres. The land is currently in agricultural production.
The company estimates it will cost $187.75 million to $242.5 million to develop, including construction and all of the associated engineering and permitting needs. It estimates the operation will generate $32 million in tax revenues over an expected 40-year life span.
In the findings, Butler addresses the issues raised by the county and neighboring landowners.
Renville County has objected to Gopher State Solar's plan to provide a bond to cover an estimated $1.4 million in decommissioning costs. The county stated that it believes the decommissioning costs could be as high as $21 million and that there is no way to know the value of the recycled materials to offset some of those costs.
Gopher State Solar has agreed to pay for the costs of an independent engineering analysis of the potential decommissioning costs as part of its permit. Butler noted the company's offer to address the county's concerns and includes it as part of the proposed permit.
Butler also cited the visual aesthetic concerns raised by the owners of a residential property located in close proximity to the project site. He recommended the permit include the company's commitment to work with the property owners to address screening needs by planting trees.
Butler found that the noise of the transformers and inverters from the site should not adversely affect the residential site. The distance is sufficient that the expected sound level will be below the threshold of human hearing, according to the finding.
The judge's finding also acknowledged the potential that the project could affect property values, but stated the impact cannot be known.
If its permit application is approved by the PUC, Gopher State Solar expects that construction would start in the spring of 2027 and the site would be in commercial operation in late 2029.
More about the project can be found on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website at
under the tab that includes solar farms. Look under open projects to find a link to the
permit application and supporting documents.
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