Minnesota Utility Offering Customers Solar Power

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Xcel Energy is launching a new program that it hopes will be a big boost in solar electricity for the Minneapolis-based utility company.

Instead of installing panels on their rooftops, utility customers can subscribe to a community solar garden, and then choose how much solar power to buy or lease. But it's still unclear how much the average customer will be charged for participating in the Solar Rewards Community program.

Xcel currently has about 14 megawatts of solar electricity in its system.

The company's vice president says the program could add 100 megawatts next year, enough to serve 25,000 homes. But she says it ultimately depends on the interest of consumers and offers from developers.

The first installations should be ready by mid-2015.