Solar Power Project in Southwestern Minnesota Gets Approval

MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved a solar power project in the southwestern part of the state.

State regulators approved the project near Marshall on Thursday. Florida-based NextEra Energy was cleared to build the 62-megawatt solar farm.

Reports say the project would produce enough electricity to supply the equivalent of 15,000 homes. Xcel Energy would buy the power produced.

Reports say the project's neighbors who brought up concerns about replacing cropland with solar structures haven't decided whether to appeal the decision by the commission.