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MRES is a catalyst, equitably advancing a sustainable low-carbon society
and a renewable energy economy through education, leadership and example.

June Speaker Series

Xcel Energy: Sherco Solar Updates

Xcel Energy is developing the Upper Midwest’s largest solar project near the existing Sherco coal plant site in Becker, Minnesota. Sherco Solar will help meet Xcel Energy customers’ energy needs as the company transitions away from coal.

The first phase of the Sherco Solar project began delivering carbon-free electricity in late 2024. Once the two remaining phases come online in 2025 and 2026, Sherco Solar will be one of the largest solar facilities in the country, powering 150,000 homes across the Upper Midwest with energy fueled by the sun to keep bills low. The facility’s 710 megawatts will replace the capacity of the Sherco plant’s first coal unit that retired in late 2023. Xcel Energy will own and operate all three projects.

The Sherco site plays an important role in the company’s vision to deliver 100% clean energy in Minnesota by 2040, meeting the state’s new benchmark. Xcel Energy’s proposed Minnesota Energy Connection transmission line will link at least 2,000 megawatts of new renewable energy to the grid at Sherco. The company is also working on a long-duration battery storage pilot project at the Sherco plant.

Xcel Energy is on track to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% from customers’ electricity in the Upper Midwest by 2030. The company plans to retire all of its coal units by the end of 2030.

About the Speaker

Luke Molus
Operations Manager - Sherco Solar
Xcel Energy

Luke Molus is a seasoned energy industry professional with over a decade of experience in thermal steam power generation. Throughout his 10-year tenure in conventional power plants, Luke developed deep expertise in plant operations, systems optimization, and team leadership, playing a key role in ensuring reliable and efficient energy production.

In 2024, driven by a passion for sustainability and innovation, Luke transitioned into the renewable energy sector. He now serves as the Operations Manager for Xcel Energy’s first utility-scale solar farm—a landmark project in the company’s clean energy transformation. In this role, Luke oversees daily operations, performance monitoring, and strategic planning to maximize the solar farm’s output and reliability.

June Live online presentation

Thursday, June 19th @ 6:00pm

New!
As of March 2025, you will need to register for the monthly Speaker Series.
Simply provide your name and email and you will be emailed a link to join the Zoom presentation.

Questions? Contact eleanor@mnrenewables.org

Green Rock Apartments Transform Multifamily Housing from Old to Sustainable: A Guide for Property Owners

Dale Howey, in six years, has transformed his Green Rock Apartments into a model of carbon-neutral housing. Howey, a Minneapolis owner/renovator, has completed eight multi-unit building retrofits. The physical improvements, coupled with enhanced livability amenities, have dramatically reduced each building’s utility usage/cost of energy, increased owner profits, and improved livability for residents. Most importantly, the retrofits have significantly reduced the use of fossil fuels, and thus contribute toward lowering the world’s extreme carbon emissions.

Howey’s intention is to open-source his unique retrofit approach so that others may gain ideas, inspiration, and guidance. To that end, the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, in collaboration with Green Rock Apartments, has produced a detailed guide documenting Howey’s projects, noting the carbon-reducing products used, retrofit project financing, key contacts and sources for further research. The following guide highlights four Green Rock Apartment buildings in Minneapolis, MN that have been retrofitted to near zero carbon by Howey. These retrofits have greatly lowered utility usage, increased owner profits and have improved livability for Residents. Most importantly, these retrofits significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels to further lower the world’s extreme carbon emissions.

Read the full guide