Alliant Energy adds six solar farms
100,000 additional homes can be powered in deal
Alliant Energy is about to begin construction on six new solar projects in central Wisconsin that will generate enough electricity to power about 100,000 homes annually once completed.
The Madison-based utility received approval for the projects late Tuesday from the Public Service Commission.
The projects are Albany Solar in
Green County; Beaver Dam Solar in Dodge County; Cassville Solar in Grant County; Paddock Solar in Rock County; Springfield Solar in Dodge County and Wautoma Solar in Waushara County.
The six newly-approved solar projects are part of a 12-project plan Alliant Energy has developed.
Combined, Alliant is adding nearly 1,100 megawatts of solar energy to the state's energy grid.
The first six projects, which are currently being developed, will power about 175,000 homes per year once operational.
Alliant Energy expects to begin construction this summer on the latest six projects to be approved.
“We are excited to break ground and begin construction on these solar projects as we accelerate toward a cleaner energy future," said Alliant Energy president David de Leon.
The utility will contract with Burns & McDonnell and utilize craft labor from several local union halls.
"We expect our solar development plans to create hundreds of new construction jobs and deliver safe, reliable, affordable energy for years to come," de Leon said.
If Wisconsin meets its goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy over the next 30 years, it could grow the state's economy by $21 billion and create more than 34,000 jobs, according to a study released in March by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute and the Fiscal and Economic Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The state's largest utilities including Alliant and We Energies have committed to the goal, but Wisconsin has lagged behind neighboring states, that study found.
Recent announcements, including Alliant's and the approval of Koshkonong Solar Energy Center in Dane County earlier this year are growing the state's solar footprint.
There is also a proposed solar project by Pennsylvania-based Doral Renewables in Portage County that could become the state's largest.