BIRD ISLAND, Minn. — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Thursday, Aug. 7, issued site permits for two solar energy projects in western Minnesota, totaling up to 435 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity, according to a news release.

The PUC granted a site permit to Gopher State Solar for its project in Renville County , north of Bird Island in Kingman, Osceola and Bird Island townships.

The company has secured a 1,645-acre area and will place solar panels on 977 of those acres, as previously reported by the West Central Tribune. The project of up to 200 megawatts will use photovoltaic panels and connect to Great River Energy’s existing Panther Substation, according to the news release.

The company estimates it will cost $187.75 million to $242.5 million to develop,

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