Siting Renewable Energy

Why here?

The first thing that developers look for is whether there is ample wind or sunshine at a site. Once they determine that the resource is readily available, a host of other factors are considered: terrain, grid capacity, options for land acquisition, and regulatory considerations (zoning and permits).

Terrain

For solar projects, development is simplest on open terrain that is easily accessible and receives full sunlight.

For wind projects, development makes the most sense on plains and agricultural land (cropland/pasture), because they offer consistent, predictable wind directions and easy construction access.

In southwestern Minnesota, where the most wind development has taken place, developers have preferred the Buffalo Ridge — a wind-swept, 60 mile long plateau that rises 800 feet above the surrounding terrain.

[Insert map with the wind turbines in MN. Take a screenshot from the interactive website: https://energy.usgs.gov/uswtdb/viewer/#8.2/44.063/-95.897 ]
The circled wind turbines follow the Buffalo Ridge.

Grid capacity

Building new transmission lines and substations is costly and time-consuming, so developers prefer to locate their projects where grid capacity already exists. Early in the siting process, developers review maps and data from utilities and transmission operators to identify the best locations to explore in greater depth.

[Link to our transmission webpage for more info]

Land acquisition

Land acquisition for solar and wind projects involves either long-term lease agreements or purchasing land. This typically takes 6-12 months. Once a developer has identified their preferred sites, they conduct title searches, negotiate with landowners, and navigate zoning regulations. Developers often prefer long-term leases (typically 20-30 years), rather than purchasing the land. This reduces the project’s up-front costs, and landowners receive a steady income (either royalties or per-acre payments) while retaining ownership.

Regulatory considerations

Minnesota solar and wind project siting is regulated through a combination of local zoning ordinances and state-level permitting. Whether a particular project falls under state or local decision making is based on the size of the project: smaller projects are permitted through local (usually county) processes, while larger projects are permitted through state processes at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Type	Local	State PUC
Solar	Up to 50 MW	Larger than 50 MW
Wind	Up to 5 MW	Larger than 5 MW

Key rules cover setbacks from homes, noise regulations, and decommissioning plans, with specific protections for agricultural land, wildlife, natural resources, roads, and other considerations.