Minnesota's solar capacity has gotten a boost with the launch in December of a couple of community solar gardens at wastewater treatment plants in the Twin Cities.

A five-megawatt solar garden powered up Dec. 14 in Empire Township, and a three-megawatt garden went online Dec. 19 in Shakopee.

A Community Solar Garden is an array of solar panels that governments, businesses and households can subscribe to, rather than installing them on their own roofs.

Jason Willett, sustainability director for the Metropolitan Council, says the solar gardens help provide reliable, affordable, clean energy for local customers.