MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Testimony was heard on Wednesday by the state Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding plans for a solar farm in Manitowoc County.
Wisconsin Public Service has paired with Madison Gas & Electric for the plan of operating two solar energy facilities, including one along the Lakeshore.
One proposed site is located just south of the Point Beach Nuclear Plant in the towns of Two Creeks and Two Rivers.
Around 1,300 acres would be covered at that site, which would be expected to generate 150 megawatts. For comparison, enough to power about 41,250 homes a year.
Between this facility and one in Iowa County, the two utilities want to spend $390 million.
Around 300 megawatts would be generated annually at the larger Badger Hollow Solar Farm.
The utilities plans’ to acquire and use the solar power was the main focus of Wednesday’s hearing, rather than the actual development of the facilities.
Matt Cullen, spokesman for Wisconsin Public Service, notes that the actual sites are being developed by third-party companies.
State approval is also needed for those sites.
According to PSC spokesman Matt Dannenberg, all of the PSC’s decisions are tentatively slated to be completed by early June.
Some landowners near the projects have raised concerns about what the solar arrays will look like, even though the utilities have touted the green energy project.
Construction in Manitowoc County has been planned by the utilities to start later this year, with it completed in 2020. While that timeline was anticipating PSC approval last fall.
WPS still expects to start construction this year, but didn’t have specific dates, according to Cullen.
