Greenbacker buys 11.3-MW solar portfolio in Minnesota

Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC has acquired a four-site pre-operational 11.3-MW (DC) solar project in the US state of Minnesota, the company announced on Monday.

Greenbacker said that it has purchased the project through a wholly-owned subsidiary from its original developer and builder OneEnergy Renewables, without disclosing the price of the acquisition.

The portfolio, named Fillinona, spans four separate sites across Minnesota -- Stockton, Fountain, Hazel and Rushford Village. Fillinona has recently reached mechanical completion, and is scheduled to commence commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2021, Greenbacker said.

The four solar farms will produce electricity under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with MiEnergy, a rural electric cooperative. Organic yogurt maker Stonyfield Organic has a separate agreement in place to buy renewable energy credits from two of the sites.

Greenbacker said it plans to plant pollinator-friendly vegetation below the solar panels at Stockton and Fountain, and introduce pasture plants for sheep grazing at Hazel and Rushford Village.

“Environmental health is a top priority for us - one that goes hand in hand with being responsible custodians of the land our projects occupy,” commented Greenbacker CEO Charles Wheeler.

Greenbacker’s portfolio consists of around 2.2 GW of sustainable infrastructure projects, including the capacity of Fillinona and assets planned for construction, the energy company added.

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