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Renewable Energy Services

The Westside Solar project was constructed in the winter to serve peak electricity loads in the summer.

Location

Rochester, MN

Owner

EDFR

Construction Type

New Construction Including Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)

Utility

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU)

Labor

100% self-performed by KE

  • Energy Division
Project Duration

October 2021 – April 2022

Megawatts

13.69 MW DC

Total Modules

31,902

Logo for EDF Renewables featuring an abstract orange wind turbine symbol next to bold blue text eDF above "renewables" in blue lowercase—ideal for industrial electricians and industrial electrical contractors.
EDF Solar Farm Site

The Situation

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) has a goal of utilizing 100% renewable energy by 2030. This 10 MW solar farm constructed on 140 to 160 acres provides 1.5% of the city’s needs and gets the community one step closer to its goal. EDF Renewables owns the solar farm and RPU buys the electricity it generates. KE was hired as the electrical and mechanical contractor.

The Solution

As far as solar farms go, this is a big one, both in terms of the size of the site and the power it generates. KE worked through a difficult Minnesota winter to complete the job, procuring panels and meeting tight timelines. Underground work was completed before the ground froze, and winter work continued with installation of racking, setting modules, electrical wiring, testing and commissioning.

The Result

Work was completed in the spring of 2022, and the farm is operational. RPU has plans for continued investment in renewable energy sources over the next 10 years.

  • 13.69 MW DC Megawatts
  • 31,902 Total Modules

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