Superior Solar community garden takes next steps to completion

Construction is in full swing over at Superior Water, Light and Power’s first community solar garden. Installation of racking and the first of nearly 1,300 solar panels started in early August at the Superior Solar site near Heritage Park in Superior. The 470-kilowatt solar garden is large enough to power about 115 homes.

“We’re proud to already be delivering more than 50% renewable energy to our customers and this solar garden reflects our commitment to them, to the Superior-area community and to advancing a clean-energy future” said SWL&P President Rob Sandstrom. “Customers told us they wanted access to more renewable, carbon-free energy and Superior Solar is a simple, convenient way for them to go solar.”

The project is full with 80 customers currently. Among the largest subscribers are Essentia Health, National Bank of Commerce, Kari Toyota, the City of Superior and Charter Next Generation. Interested customers can learn more about the community solar garden and put their name on a waitlist for future renewable energy options at the customer service section on the SWL&P website.

Panels for Superior Solar were manufactured by Heliene in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. Energy from Superior Solar is expected to begin feeding into the power grid in October.

In addition to generating renewable energy, Superior Solar is the site of a new pollinator garden. The area will be planted with native grasses and flowers that create a habitat where bees, butterflies and other pollinators can live and gather food. It will take several years before the garden is fully established.

More information can be found at www.swlp.com.