Dive Brief:

• An administrative law judge is recommending that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approve a 100-MW solar project over competing natural gas-fired proposals as the best option for meeting Xcel Energy's upcoming supply needs in Minnesota.
• Xcel wants to build a 215-MW peaking unit and enter into a power purchase agreement with either Calpine or Invenergy, companies that have proposed expanding existing gas plants.
• Geronimo Energy, which proposed the $250 million solar project, has worked with Xcel before on several wind farms.

Dive Insight:

While the PUC needs to vote on the recommended order before this issue is settled in Minnesota, this is another sign that solar can compete head-to-head with natural gas-fired generation.