Brookings Solar Project officially joins MRES generation portfolio

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), Brookings Municipal Utilities, the City of Brookings and project partners gathered Thursday to celebrate the completion of the Brookings Solar Project and officially welcome the facility into operation.

The five-megawatt facility increases MRES-owned solar capacity by nearly one-third, bringing its total owned nameplate solar capacity to approximately 16 megawatts. Brookings Solar joins the 10-megawatt Marshall Solar Plus in Minnesota and the one-megawatt Pierre Solar Project in South Dakota. The energy will support the broader power supply portfolio serving MRES member communities across Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

"Brookings Solar is a strong example of what public power communities can accomplish when they work together," said Matt Schull, president and CEO of MRES. "This project adds another locally produced resource to a diverse portfolio while keeping reliability, affordability and the long-term needs of our members at the center of our decisions."

Vernell Roberts, chair of the MRES board and director on the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA) board, added that Brookings Solar reflects careful planning, sound financial oversight and a shared commitment to the communities MRES serves. "The boards look beyond a single technology and evaluate how each investment strengthens the entire system over time," he said. WMMPA provided the financial support needed to move the project forward.

Following the ceremony, attendees participated in an official ribbon cutting, project question-and-answer session and media interviews.