MANKATO — The sisters are going solar.

The City of Mankato has approved a permit for a solar farm to be constructed by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The sisters are partnering with Best Power International of Hopkins to build the solar farm on about four acres of land near Loyola High School in Mankato.

It will be the fifth largest solar installation in Minnesota, but numerous other solar farms are in the planning stages.

State regulators previously approved a $900,000 grant from Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund for the $1.8 million project. Best Power President Dwight Jelle says the solar farm should be constructed by late this year or early next spring.

The sisters will take over ownership of the solar farm in seven years.