6. Solar Hosting Capacity Map from J HogleApril 29, 2022 via email
Hi Ken,
I just got a call from Mike Lubke, regarding the Xcel capacity map. He saw my email
included in our agenda notes on the solar review, and pointed out that although the colored
feeder lines on the west side of Scandia show 0 capacity, that is not accurate. He explained
how to read the data on that map. I believe he was using the numbers for nominal voltage,
Substation Transformer Installed, and Substation Transformer Queued.
I asked him if he would be available at our Tuesday mtg to explain how to correctly read the
map data. It would be useful if we can allow some time on the agenda for him to help us
better understand this information.
Thanks,
Jan
April 6, 2022 via email to City Staff
RE: Solar hosting capacity map
The link below is a map showing electrical hosting capacity. It is directly relevant to our
discussion at the PC meeting Tuesday evening regarding the proposed moratorium. Since
line capacity was directly addressed at Tuesday's meeting, it may be appropriate to share
this email with our Planning Commission and City Council members.
https://tinyurl.com/mnsolarcapacity22
I received the map link from a neighbor who was at the Planning Commission mtg Tuesday
night. It shows estimated capacity of power lines in a given area on the map. Clicking on
the colored lines pops up a window with info about that feeder. It is supposed to be public
information but the link is not widely advertised. The neighbor said it is from the Xcel
website.
Note that the capacities in Scandia range from 0 kW to 251-500 kW. There is no location
within Scandia that could handle larger than a 251-500 kW install. Large scale installs start
at around 1MW, although distribution can occur at smaller levels. For example, our solar
garden is 1/9 acre, 39 kW, and only requires single phase lines. Still, if you click on the
feeder from our farm on Lofton (HUG321), the red line and the popup details indicate a
capacity of 0 kW.
Per my discussion with Xcel rep: the most likely way that capacity could be increased is for
enough increase in demand to justify additional infrastructure in the form of 3 phase lines.
These will not be built prior to demand, which would most likely come in the form of
significant additional population or considerable increase in industry, or combination.
Additional infrastructure would not likely be built within the next handful of years, and more
likely would be many years from now...if ever.
Jan