(Ramsey, MN) – Connexus Energy’s innovative solar-plus-storage project is now fully operational. Construction at the Ramsey and Athens Township sites began last summer, and by December 23, 2018, both sites were up and running. The project is one of the first in the country to use batteries integrated with a solar array to align the energy delivery to when it is most valuable. The two sites add 10 megawatts of renewables to Connexus’ energy mix with 15 megawatts of battery storage.
Most solar energy is produced when there is lower demand and the price is lower. Connexus is using the batteries to time shift the solar delivery to align with system peaks that typically occur as the sun is setting or has already set. The plan is to discharge the stored energy a couple of times per month.

ENGIE North America (formerly SoCore Energy) is handling the solar portion for Connexus, and NextEra Energy Resources, the battery storage.

Connexus Energy is the largest member-owned utility in Minnesota providing electricity and related products and services to approximately 135,000 homes and businesses in portions of Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Sherburne, and Washington counties. Additional information about Connexus Energy is available online at connexusenergy.com.