Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) has signed an agreement with Lemond Solar Center LLC, a subsidiary of Coronal Development Services, to buy all electricity generated over 20 years from a 5 MW solar photovoltaic array that will be built, owned and operated by Lemond Solar Center LLC. The project will be sited on about 40 acres near Owatonna, one of SMMPA’s Member communities.

“SMMPA and our Members have been looking forward to having a large stake in solar to expand our already significant renewable energy portfolio, and we thank everyone who worked hard on this project to get us to this point,” said SMMPA Executive Director and CEO Dave Geschwind in a press release.

Electricity from the Lemond Solar Center, planned to be operational by late June 2017, will be used by SMMPA as a general power resource.

According to Coronal, once operational the Lemond Solar Center will produce enough electricity to meet the needs of about 775 homes per year.

“Coronal is thrilled to partner with SMMPA and the Owatonna community on this exciting project,” said Ben J. Alingh, senior project developer for Coronal Development Services, in the releae. ‘We commend SMMPA for taking a leadership role on an energy procurement strategy that is both environmentally and economically sound.”