A solar panel sits in front of the stage where Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., (right) speaks to the audience and other special guests Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., (left), Alan Hodnik, CEO of Minnesota Power and the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Richard Nash during a ceremony to sign an agreement to build a 10 megawatt solar energy array covering 100 acres at Camp Ripley. The ceremony took place at the site of the future solar farm with American flags outlining the field where the installation will sit, giving people visual cues as to the size of the $25 million dollar project. The project will cover a third of the energy Minnesota Power needs to meet the state's solar requirements and will help the Minnesota National Guard meet energy conservation goals set by the Department of Defense.
