Energy Incident Register
Register / Solar PV / EIR-1414
← Back to the list
Solar PVUnited StatesEIR-1414

Tornado damages solar array at Camp Ripley in Minnesota

Sept 2016Published 28 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantOther10 MW
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
out of service for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hidden
Where
Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minnesota
Operator
Minnesota Power
What
EF-1 tornado debris damaged solar array
Injuries
None reported
Cause
Debris from barracks and storage container

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Minnesota Power

What happened

A weak EF-1 tornado with winds up to 90 mph struck Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minnesota, on 7 September 2016. The storm blew roofs off barracks buildings and drove debris into a 10 MW solar array that was nearing completion. A quarter of the 97 rows of panels suffered damage including twisted racks, broken modules and damaged wiring. The dedication planned for 16 September was postponed until the following spring.

No injuries occurred. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado remained on the ground for 7 to 8 miles and was about 50 yards wide. Minnesota Power, the project developer, assessed the site for safety and began insurance and repair planning.

Contributing factors

High winds from an EF-1 tornado carried debris from nearby buildings into the array. The array was designed to withstand 105 mph winds.

Lessons learned

  1. Secure loose materials and temporary structures before forecast high-wind events.
  2. Review debris pathways from adjacent buildings when siting ground-mounted arrays.
  3. Maintain rapid-response protocols for post-storm safety and insurance engagement even during final commissioning.

More lessons on spacing, layout and fire spread, weather and external hazards, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cost of the damage
  • Downtime before the array returned to service
  • Exact model and age of damaged panels and racks

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

twincities.com

Other entries that name Camp

Published 2026-09-28. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

See the register's stories first in Google: add it as a preferred source.

Chart to reuse with this story: Solar PV incidents in the United States, by year, free with a credit (PNG).

Solar PV incidents in the United States: 154 entries, with a free alert for the next one.

Solar farm fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: rooftop solar fires.

Browse the full register or submit an incident.