Hayward Solar Project

Hayward Solar, LLC is proposing to build and operate the Hayward Solar Project -- a 150 megawatt (MW) solar farm in Freeborn County, Minn. The project will occupy approximately 1,272 acres east of the city of Hayward and just south of Interstate 90. The project will use photovoltaic solar panels mounted on linear tracking systems. The project will interconnect with the electrical grid via a switching station on the existing Hayward - Murphy Creek 161 kV transmission line.  

The project requires a certificate of need and a site permit from the Minnesota Public Utilites Commission. Upon applying for these approvals, public meetings regarding the project will be held. Department of Commerce, Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) staff will prepare an environmental asessment (EA) for the project.  A public hearing will be held to gather public input.  After completion of the EA and the public hearing, the Commission will make decisions on Hayward Solar's certificate of need and site permit applications.  

Documents related to the Commission's site permitting process for the project can be found below ("Key Project Documents" and "Project Document"). Documents related to the Commission's certificate of need process can be found in Commission docket: CN-21-112.

On November 30, 2022, the Commission issued a certificate of need and a site permit for the Hayward Solar Project.