PUC Approves Otter Tail Power Company’s Hoot Lake Solar Project

St. Paul, Minnesota — At its March 25th agenda meeting, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved construction of the Hoot Lake Solar Project, a 49.9-megawatt (MW) renewable generation initiative brought forward by Otter Tail Power Company (OTP). This solar energy investment is the first of its kind for OTP, consisting of approximately 150,000 solar panels on about 450 acres of land.

The Hoot Lake Solar Project is the least expensive solar facility approved in Minnesota by the PUC to date, highlighting the rapid decline of solar power prices over the past few years. Hoot Lake Solar will provide system-wide benefits for OTP customers by increasing grid reliability and displacing high-cost generation.

Chair Sieben said, “I’m pleased to support Otter Tail Power’s Hoot Lake Solar project. This is the lowest cost solar project of its kind in Minnesota; it will lower harmful CO2 emissions; and it will benefit the surrounding communities. Importantly, Hoot Lake Solar will ensure that Otter Tail Power continues to provide reliable, cost-effective service to the communities it serves.”

About

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy: electricity, natural gas, and telephone service. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate, and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional, and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc

###