Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Power signed a memorandum of understanding for construction of a solar energy project at Camp Ripley, which is the largest military base in the US state.
The MoU is with regard to setting up a 10MW utility-scale solar energy array at Camp Ripley.
Spread over 100 acres, the project will be the largest solar power installation on any National Guard base in the US.
The estimated cost for the project is $25m and is expected to be completed within 2015-2016.
Privately-owned Minnesota Power, which is based at Duluth, will also help the Guard to identify ways for reducing energy consumption by 30%.
The deal also involves setting up of a backup power generation facility at the camp.
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By GlobalDataMinnesota National Guard Adjutant General Rick Nash said: "The Minnesota National Guard and specifically Camp Ripley has been long looking for ways to increase our environmental stewardship.
"This signing marks a milestone along our path to making that vision a reality."
The project will assist Camp Ripley to use energy occasionally when electric grids dysfunction and will thereby boost energy security for the state’s largest military site.
It is also expected to help Minnesota National Guard to meet energy conservation objectives outlined by the US Department of Defense.
