Xcel Energy says it’s moving ahead with a community solar garden on Eau Claire’s south side. The April 28 announcement by the utility provider came just days after the Eau Claire City Council approved a lease with San Francisco-based solar developer Pristine Sun for a 7½-acre former landfill on West Hamilton Avenue, just across from Xcel’s Wisconsin headquarters. Pristine Sun will build a one-megawatt solar garden on the site later this year and will sell the electricity produced to Xcel. In a media release, Xcel said the solar garden should be operational by the end of the year. The project will be funded through subscriptions by Xcel customers, who will pay a one-time fee and get a monthly credit on their electrical bill based upon their portion of the solar energy produced. To learn more, visit xcelenergy.com/SolarConnectCommunity.