Waite Park Council Approves Community Solar Garden By 3-1 Vote

(KNSI) – The Waite Park City Council allowed an interim use permit for a community solar garden at Monday’s meeting by a 3-1 vote.

The lone dissent was from Mike Linquist because the permit comes with a variance regarding the required setback from neighboring properties. The issue was voted on in December 2023, and the council allowed an even larger variance. In the map below, the light blue area is the new layout for the 9,000-plus panel array. It has been shifted within the approved footprint from the last vote on the issue.

The community solar garden will span nearly 20 acres off of County Road 137. The council followed all staff recommendations, which included allowing up to 2.5 years for the build to happen. There is some concern that construction could be delayed.

Once in place, the project can remain in operation for 25 years rather than the 35 requested. Council members wanted the option to develop that land, which is seen as a future growth spot for the city. Kraemer Garden, LLC will also need to put up a $383,000 guarantee as collateral to decommission the array at the end of its useful life.

While operating, the solar garden can be subscribed to by customers, who then get a credit from Xcel Energy through a state program on their monthly utility bill.

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