Nick Fetty | July 3, 2014

A $1.5 million solar array project – expected to be one of the largest in the state – has been proposed for Mitchell County in northern Iowa and is pending final approval from county officials.

The Heartland Power Cooperative will install 1,200 solar panels across 4 1/2 acres just east of St. Ansgar. The cooperative has partnered with the National Renewable Cooperative Organization, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, and Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange for this project.

Construction is expected to be completed by late fall and the operation should be running by 2015.

Heartland Power Cooperative serves approximately 2,500 members in northern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota.

EDIT: Post originally stated project was finalized however it is in the “Request for Proposal” stage and has yet to receive final approval from county officials.