MARSHALL — Plans to build a 10-megawatt solar project in Marshall recently took a step forward, said spokespeople for Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). A joint-action agency made up of MRES members has approved an agreement for the construction of the project.

The Marshall Solar Plus project will build more than 26,000 solar panels on 57 acres of land along North Seventh Street in Marshall, MRES said. Construction is expected to start by this fall. Once they’re up and running, the solar panels will generate electricity that will be used locally.

“Solar power is a carbon-free, renewable resource that will be an important part of our evolving power supply mix as we work to create and maintain a clean and resilient energy future,” said Terry Wolf, vice president of power supply and operations for MRES. “The Marshall site was chosen, in part, for its close proximity to the Seventh Street substation, where the project will interconnect to the Marshall Municipal Utilities distribution system.”

MRES, which has members in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, provides the electricity used by MMU customers. The planned Marshall solar project will be financed by the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA), an agency made up of MRES members in Minnesota.

A March 1 news release from MRES said WMMPA has approved a build-own-transfer agreement with US Solar, the developer that will build the solar installation. When construction is complete, ownership of the project will transfer to WMMPA.

Site grading work has already started for the planned solar project. WMMPA bought agricultural land located near the intersection of North Seventh Street and Lyon County Road 33 for the project, and the land was officially annexed into Marshall city limits last year.

MRES spokespeople said WMMPA will also install a 5-megawatt battery storage system as part of the solar project. This will allow some of the energy generated by the solar panels to be stored until it is needed.

“The batteries will add reliability to the project, moving electrical production into the times of the day when it is needed the most,” said Wolf.

MRES spokespeople said residents can expect to see equipment on site in August, and support structures and solar panels being installed by November. Substantial completion of the project is expected in August 2024.

WMMPA expects to submit an application to MMU, to finalize an interconnection agreement for the project.

“MMU’s power supply mix is already 30% renewable and 76% carbon-free,” said MMU General Manager Dave Schelkoph. “The Marshall Solar Plus project will be another clean energy resource for MMU and the other MRES member utilities.”