PSC approves most powerful solar project in Wisconsin history

MADISON, WI — Today the Public Service Commission approved the Vista Sands solar farm planned for Portage County. The project will be the most powerful solar farm in the state, and among the most powerful in the country, generating nearly 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of electricity—enough clean energy to power about 200,000 Wisconsin homes.

“Today the PSC approved the biggest step toward curbing Wisconsin’s carbon emissions in the state’s history. Deployment of clean energy on this scale will do more to advance state energy policy than has any construction project in Wisconsin to date,” says Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Katie Nekola. “This is significant because Wisconsin cannot meet its carbon reduction goals or contain customer costs without acknowledging and indeed embracing the need to invest in the least-cost, cleanest generation available. Clean Wisconsin submitted testimony to the PSC about the many benefits of the project and celebrates this incredible victory for clean air and energy.”

A Clean Wisconsin analysis submitted to the PSC shows that Vista Sands is also likely to have significant water benefits in Portage County, boosting aquifer levels and reducing contamination in the water-depleted Central Sands region. The solar farm is anticipated to take 56 high capacity wells out of normal operation and will greatly reduce the estimated 3 million pounds of fertilizer and 73,000 gallons of insecticide currently spread across the project area every year.

“We don’t often think of solar farms as protecting our water, but that’s exactly what will happen with a project like Vista Sands,” says Clean Wisconsin Water and Agriculture Program Director Sara Walling. “It represents an opportunity to finally make real progress on critical water issues that have plagued the Central Sands for years.”

During their decision, Commissioners commended both Vista Sands and local communities for their willingness to engage in thoughtful deliberation and reach agreements that allow this project to move forward while protecting the Greater Prairie Chicken.

In addition to diversifying income for farmers hosting panels on part of their land, the project will bring community-wide economic benefits, providing $6.5 million every year to local towns and counties to invest in critical local needs such as repairing roads, purchasing emergency equipment, improving parks and expanding services.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.