Commissioners grant one-year extension for 1-megawatt solar conditional-use permit in Dassel area

The Meeker County Board of Commissioners approved a one-year extension Oct. 7 for conditional-use permit No. 16506 to construct a 1-megawatt solar garden in the Dassel area.

Greg Schultz, a county planning staff member, told the board Sunrise Energy requested the extension because changes in the state bidding and transmission-study processes caused a six- to seven-month delay, and recent spring flooding further disrupted the project timeline. "The main reason is that they... had to wait for a transmission study," Schultz said, noting the developer still expects to begin some work this fall and continue next spring.

Schultz identified the site in his staff report as near Spectrolytics and supplied a location listed in the application; the project is described as a 1-megawatt garden (projects at or below 1 megawatt are classified as a solar "garden" under the county’s terminology used in the meeting). Board members discussed that site mobilization — such as grading, site layout and fence installation — can constitute the start date for a conditional-use permit, but that an interconnection agreement with the local utility (identified in the discussion as Excel) is effectively required before significant construction proceeds.

Commissioner Van Ort moved to approve a one-year extension of conditional-use permit No. 16506 for a 1-megawatt solar garden at the property listed in the application (address as presented to the board). Commissioner Samkee seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The extension moves the permit’s expiration from Nov. 19, 2025, to November 2026, according to the developer’s request on file with county planning. County staff advised that geotechnical testing and pile-driving work are typical preliminary activities for solar installations at the site.