How Minnesota’s highways are poised to become renewable energy generators

[geardaddy]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2014/10/how-minnesota-s-highways-are-poised-become-renewable-energy-generators?utm_content=buffer0bab0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Minnesota’s highways are poised to become green energy generators with up to five 1-megawatt solar panel arrays built on public right-of-way around the state. If the pilot project proceeds as planned it would exceed the total capacity of a solar installation at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport expected to go online next fall and touted this month as the largest in Minnesota.


The state Department of Transportation is soliciting proposals through Nov. 3 for solar developers to lease land along highways that they would select for the installations. MnDOT, with expertise in pavement and bridges, is leaving most of the solar details to experts in that field.

“We don’t even know how many potential solar sites we have,” said Rick Morey, the agency’s project manager. “We’re looking for a simple landlord-tenant relationship.”

Once sites are suggested, MnDOT would determine only that they had no potential impacts on traffic operation and safety, then negotiate a fair market rental rate required by state law. Leases will extend 20 years, four times longer than most roadside rentals but considered necessary to allow a return on the heavy investment in solar arrays. MSP’s 3-megawatt facility, for example, will cost $25.4 million, but is expected to net $10 million in benefits for the airport over 30 years.

More at link.

[MineralMan]

1. Good idea. Our highway right of way system is enormous.

Much of it is not used for the actual roadway at all, and could be fertile ground for solar installations. The right of way can also be used for transmission lines, etc, since it's essentially vacant land on routes to major population centers.

Look at a satellite view of any major highway. There's the roadway in the middle. Along both sides is vacant land. Perfect for this use.

[geardaddy]

3. I don't know why they haven't thought of this before

but I'm glad they're thinking of it now. I agree, it's a perfect use for the sides of highways.

[MineralMan]

4. I'm sure it has been thought of. It just needed some state to

set up a program, and Minnesota looks like the pilot project. I might have chosen a sunnier state, but what the heck?

[jwirr]

2. Love this. I have been following the idea of solar panels as highways and am delighted that MN

is going to give it a go. This if it works up here be a wonderful accomplishment.