The Brookings Solar Project, currently under construction northeast of Brookings, South Dakota, will increase the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) solar energy portfolio by nearly a third, and the project continues to move forward with strong momentum. Since breaking ground in November 2024, construction has progressed steadily and remains both on schedule and on budget.
According to Nick Fanning, MRES resource engineer supervisor, site grading is complete, access roads have been built, concrete pads are in place and the water retention pond has been constructed. Underground conduits are also fully installed, an important milestone that ensures electrical cables for the panels will be protected from pests and rodents.
The contractor, US Solar, is now entering the next major phase: installing the steel pilings that will anchor the solar arrays. “The piles are scheduled for delivery in December and will be installed as weather conditions allow. The project remains on track for panel installation in March and April,” Fanning said.
The project continues to track within the established $15 million budget, with no unexpected costs or adjustments needed. The schedule also remains solid as there are no current concerns related to material deliveries or construction challenges.
Once complete, the facility will include approximately 2,500 solar panels with a mix of 540-watt and 545-watt panels. The panels are engineered to withstand 90-100 mph winds and can be manually adjusted in the event of hail to reduce direct impact. The solar arrays will cover roughly half of the 80-acre site.
MRES continues collaborative work with member Brookings Municipal Utilities to finalize agreements and coordinate next steps. When operational, Brookings Solar Project will increase MRES-owned nameplate solar capacity to 16 megawatts (MW), joining Marshall Solar+ at 10 MW and Pierre Solar at 1 MW. Overall, the Brookings Solar Project is progressing well with commercial operation set for July 31, 2026.