New Solar Array – Brainerd Public Utilities
Brainerd Public Utilities (BPU), Minnesota is pleased to announce a 6.54 MW DC / 5.75 MW AC photovoltaic solar array
at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is fully operational and will supply just over 10 gigawatt-hours of renewable
energy annually. This is equivalent to the electric needs of 1,379 homes in one year.
The new array, owned and operated by AEP OnSite Partners, a subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), will
provide energy to BPU for the next 30 years under a power purchase agreement.
“This solar project will contribute to and help us reach future carbon-free emission commitments and will produce about
6% of the energy used by those in the BPU service area,” said Todd Wicklund, BPU Public Utilities Director. “It will also
help us save money on energy bills by reducing capacity costs during times when electricity demand is at its highest.”
“AEP OnSite Partners is focused on delivering energy solutions that best fit the unique needs of our customers and help
them reach their sustainability goals,” said Greg Hall, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, AEP. “We
look forward to our continued partnership with the City of Brainerd.”
The solar array is powered by over 13,850 advanced solar panels manufactured by Trina Solar and installed by
Interconnection Systems Incorporated.
AEP OnSite Partners also plans to construct a 1.3 MW solar project near the BPU wastewater treatment facility. The
project was approved in February, and BPU has a power purchase agreement with AEP OnSite Partners. In addition, BPU
receives wholesale power supply from AEP Energy Partners, a competitive energy subsidiary of AEP that offers
customized wholesale power supply products within ERCOT, MISO, PJM and SPP.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 12:30 PM on June 27, 2023 at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport to celebrate
the operation of the solar array.
About BPU
BPU is a Minnesota municipal utility owned by the City of Brainerd. BPU serves approximately 8,500 electric customers
within its service territory and has a peak load of approximately 40 MW. BPU also operates a 3 MW run-of-the-river
hydroelectric dam on the Mississippi River. BPU is committed to using renewable energy sources generated in Brainerd
to supply a portion of BPU’s future energy needs.
About AEP
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) and its affiliate AEP OnSite Partners deliver a wide array of innovative
competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP OnSite Partners own and operate over 90 behind-the-meter projects in 26
different states and have an active development pipeline across the U.S. For more information,
visit https://www.aeponsitepartners.com/
MEDIA CONTACT
BPU – Todd Wicklund, Public Utilities Director, 218-825-3220, twicklund@bpu.org
AEP – Sarah Devine, Corporate Media Relations, 614-716-2011, sedevine@aep.com