MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Work starts this week on one of Minnesota's largest solar projects.

The 62-megawatt solar center being built in Lyon County will generate enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes. The facility on 355 acres near Marshall will be owned and operated by Marshall Solar, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources in partnership with Xcel Energy.

Xcel says the Marshall Solar Energy Project will be the third largest solar installation in Minnesota. It's expected to provide about 250 construction jobs

Xcel Energy-Minnesota spokesman Chris Clark says the Marshall project is one of several this year that will help the utility company reach its goal of having more than a third of its energy generated from renewables by 2030.

The facility is expected to be ready by December.

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