PSC Approves Badger Hollow Wind, Whitewater Solar

PSC Approves Badger Hollow Wind, Whitewater Solar

by | Sep 26, 2025 | Public Service Commission, RENEW Wisconsin, Solar, Utility Scale, Wind

On Thursday, September 25, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved two utility-scale clean energy projects. Collectively, Badger Hollow Wind (Iowa and Grant Counties) and Whitewater Solar (Jefferson and Walworth Counties) add up to 298 Megawatts (MW) of clean energy!

Badger Hollow Wind

Starting with Badger Hollow Wind—the first 100+ MW project in more than a decade at 118 MW—is a major step forward in Wisconsin’s clean energy future. To meet our net-zero goals, we need to install about 21 Gigawatts of wind energy by 2050.

In taking up the Badger Hollow Wind application, the PSC addressed several issues. In their decision, they considered the requirements of Wisconsin’s wind siting rules and determined that the wind project is in full compliance with sound, shadow flicker, decommissioning, and more.

The PSC also noted public confusion about primary and alternative turbine sites, which are a required part of the process, and limited the wind project to no more than 19 wind turbine sites for the purposes of public clarity. They also applauded the use of an Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) to reduce blinking lights at night. While the Federal Aviation Administration requires blinking lights to avoid aviation incidents, ADLS will greatly reduce the frequency of blinking, and this will mark the first use of this new technology in Wisconsin!

Expanding the state’s portfolio of wind energy is essential to ensuring we have reliable, clean energy round-the-clock, but that’s not all the project will accomplish. In the testimony RENEW filed with the PSC to support this project, we highlighted several local and statewide benefits.

Benefits of Badger Hollow Wind:

Economic Growth: Badger Hollow Wind will create hundreds of jobs during construction, as well as good-paying, long-term operations and maintenance positions. The project is expected to produce $3.2 million in additional economic activity in Wisconsin.

Community Benefits: Once in service, Badger Hollow Wind will contribute more than $500,000 in utility-aid payments each year. Over $300,000 of this will go to Grant and Iowa Counties, and over $200,000 of this will go to the towns of Clifton, Eden, Linden, Mifflin, and Wingville.

Landowner Engagement: Invenergy has been a good partner to landowners, respecting their property rights and regularly checking in with them to ensure their relationships are positive. Payments to landowners help farmers directly, but Invenergy intends to go the extra mile by building access roads to turbines that farmers can use for their operations.

Whitewater Solar

Whitewater Solar, unlike Badger Hollow Wind, is one of many solar projects to get approved over the last few years, but we’re excited all the same. The 180 MW project takes us another leap forward toward meeting our clean energy goals.

Just as we did with Badger Hollow Wind, RENEW filed testimony with the PSC to show how Whitewater Solar will benefit the state and the communities the project will call home.

During the open meeting, the PSC dove into proposed modifications and conditions to the solar project. Along with standard conditions, the PSC approved additional requirements that address concerns specific to the Whitewater Solar project. In particular, the PSC will require conditions related to the location used for temporary storage of construction equipment, a filing of signed Joint Development Agreements with local governments, and a landowner complaint process to make it easier for the developer to work with local residents before commencing construction.

Benefits of Whitewater Solar:

Economic Growth: Whitewater Solar will create hundreds of jobs during construction, as well as good-paying, long-term operations and maintenance positions. It is expected that this project will produce $259 million in additional economic activity in Wisconsin.

Community Benefits: Once in service, Whitewater Solar will contribute more than $900,000 in utility-aid payments each year. These payments will go to Jefferson and Walworth Counties, the City of Whitewater, and the Towns of Whitewater and LaGrange. Utility-aid payments produce additional revenue for local governments to use to fix roads and support local municipal services, all without creating an additional tax burden for residents.

Collectively, these two projects will reduce emissions by 543,000 tons of CO2 in their first year of operation, which would otherwise come from fossil fuel generators if these projects were never built. This means cleaner air and water, along with mitigating climate change. If you expand that over the lifetime of each of these projects, that would lead to millions of tons of CO2 that we don’t send into our atmosphere. These projects will also lead to reductions in particulate matter and ozone pollution, which means healthier outcomes and reduced healthcare costs for Wisconsin residents. Those who suffer from asthma or have heart conditions are particularly at risk when it comes to air pollution.

Thanks to everyone who helped get these projects across the finish line. Comments from the public, testimony from our partners, and the work on the ground in communities across the state are needed for every project. Through our collective action, we make our clean energy future a reality.

The Urgency of Climate Change and Why Renewable Energy Is Wisconsin’s Path Forward

The Urgency of Climate Change and Why Renewable Energy Is Wisconsin’s Path Forward

by | Sep 24, 2025 | Advocacy, Community, RENEW Wisconsin

Climate change is no longer a distant warning — it is here and it is reshaping our landscapes, weather patterns, and communities. Wisconsin has already begun to feel the effects, through more frequent flooding along our rivers, dangerous heat waves that strain vulnerable populations, and shifting agricultural seasons that threaten one of our state’s proudest traditions – farming. Left unchecked, climate change will accelerate these threats, driving up costs for families and businesses while destabilizing the ecosystems that sustain us.

But there is a solution within reach, and Wisconsin has the opportunity to lead: a rapid transition to renewable energy. We have the tools, we just need to be bold enough to move forward.

The Dangers We Face

Scientists are clear that continued reliance on fossil fuels is driving higher global temperatures. For Wisconsin, that translates to:

  • More volatile weather: Intense storms that damage infrastructure, cause power outages, and threaten public safety.
  • Rising health risks: Air pollution worsens respiratory illnesses, while extreme heat threatens seniors, children, and outdoor workers.
  • Economic disruption: Crop losses from unpredictable seasons, higher insurance premiums due to extreme weather, and costly repairs to public infrastructure.

The longer we delay addressing these dangers, the more expensive and disruptive they become. Every year of inaction compounds the risks and the cost. The good news is that the solution is affordable, efficient, and reliable.

Renewable Energy Is the Key

Wisconsin already has the tools we need to chart a safer, stronger path forward. Wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal, and hydropower are proven, affordable, and increasingly accessible. Transitioning to renewable energy addresses climate change head-on while delivering real, local benefits:

  • Cleaner air and healthier communities by reducing emissions from coal and gas.
  • Energy independence — when we produce energy in Wisconsin, it keeps our energy dollars here at home instead of sending them out of state for fossil fuels.
  • Strong local economies through job creation in construction, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance — industries that can’t be outsourced.
  • Stable energy costs because renewable resources, unlike fossil fuels, aren’t subject to global market swings.

Every new solar array on a school, every wind turbine in a farm field, and every biogas digester on a dairy farm reduces our reliance on polluting fuels while building a more resilient local economy.

Wisconsin’s Opportunity

Our state is uniquely positioned to lead. With strong agricultural roots, an innovative workforce, and communities that value stewardship, Wisconsin can demonstrate how clean energy strengthens both economy and environment. RENEW Wisconsin is working every day to expand renewable projects across the state — partnering with businesses, schools, tribes, farmers, and local governments to accelerate the transition.

But the pace matters. To safeguard our children’s future, we must move faster. This means modernizing policies, supporting community solar, expanding access to financing, and ensuring equity so that every family can share in the benefits of clean energy.

A Call to Action

Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation. But it is also the greatest opportunity to reimagine how Wisconsin powers itself — cleaner, stronger, and more resilient. By choosing renewable energy today, we protect our communities, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and preserve the natural heritage we hold dear.

The dangers of climate change are real, but the solution is in our hands. Join RENEW Wisconsin and help us win this fight. Together, we can build a safer and more prosperous Wisconsin powered by clean, renewable energy.

A Note of Gratitude and Transition

A Note of Gratitude and Transition

by | Sep 11, 2025 | RENEW Wisconsin

After eight years with RENEW Wisconsin, I will be stepping down from my role as interim executive director to take on a new opportunity as marketing and communications director at WHEDA. My last day with RENEW will be Friday, September 12.

I stepped into the interim executive director role earlier this year with the goal of guiding the organization through a leadership transition. Over the past few months, I’ve witnessed the strength of a team firmly grounded in its mission. When the opportunity arose to build on my communications strengths in service of another mission I believe in, I accepted, knowing RENEW is in steady hands.

The board has appointed Ismaeel Chartier as interim executive director while they organize an executive search. Over the past several months, Ismaeel and I have worked closely together, and I am confident in his leadership, trusted relationships, and deep knowledge of our work. Supported by a talented and dedicated staff, RENEW is well-positioned to continue advancing renewable energy in Wisconsin.

RENEW has always thrived on collaboration, and I am deeply proud of what we’ve built together. Whether advancing programs like Solar for Good and MadiSun, policy advocacy at the PSC and Capitol, or convening our community at the Renewable Energy Summit, I am grateful to have worked alongside so many of you to ensure the benefits of clean energy reach every corner of Wisconsin. The creativity and tenacity of this community have been a constant source of inspiration.

I leave with immense gratitude for the relationships and shared accomplishments of the past eight years, and with confidence in RENEW’s future. I look forward to cheering on the continued success of the organization and industry from my new role, and I hope to cross paths with you all in the years ahead.

The Results of Our 2025 Board of Directors Election Are In!

The Results of Our 2025 Board of Directors Election Are In!

by | Jul 16, 2025 | Community, RENEW Wisconsin

Thank you to all members who voted in our 2025 Board of Directors Election. RENEW Wisconsin’s Board of Directors plays an important role in setting the strategic vision for the organization. All dues-supporting members of RENEW Wisconsin were invited to vote in this year’s Board of Directors election.

This year’s election results include three incumbent board members, Josh Arnold, Mike Barnett, and Lauren Reeg, along with two newly elected board members, Eric Callisto and Mackenzie Mindel. All will soon begin a three-year term, helping us advance renewable energy in Wisconsin.

MEET OUR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Eric Callisto

Eric Callisto is an experienced energy regulatory expert with over fifteen years of work in the clean and regulated energy and utility space. He most recently served as a lead partner in the energy practice of a large law firm and previously held key leadership roles as Commissioner, Chairperson, and Chief Operating Officer of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC).

Eric is known for his deep expertise in renewable energy, water, and environmental matters, particularly in the regulation and siting of large-scale projects at the state and local levels. He has represented clients before state public utility commissions, environmental regulators, local utility districts, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), helping secure approval for thousands of megawatts of renewable energy in Wisconsin.

During his time at the PSC, he advanced critical infrastructure projects such as large-scale transmission and wind, and played a key role in shaping energy policy, including expanding the renewable portfolio standard, increasing energy efficiency funding, developing wind siting rules, and addressing climate change.

He has testified before the Wisconsin Legislature and FERC, lobbied Congress on energy legislation, and served as the PSC’s primary liaison to legislators, ratepayer advocates, and environmental groups. Earlier in his career, he served as Assistant Legal Counsel to the Governor of Wisconsin, Assistant Attorney General at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, and Environmental Protection Specialist at the U.S. EPA. He currently serves on the Madison Water Utility Board.

Mackenzie Mindel

“I’m thrilled to join the RENEW Board to support our excellent staff in achieving RENEW’s goals. I look forward to leveraging my perspective as an elected official and my professional experience supporting local governments around the world to further enhance and support RENEW’s mission.”

Mackenzie lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with her husband and two young children. She earned her Master of Arts in Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership from Edgewood College in Madison in 2018. Elected to the La Crosse Common Council in 2021 and re-elected in 2025, she currently serves as chair of both the Judiciary & Administration Committee and the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee.

Mackenzie co-led the development of the City’s first Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2023, as well as the School District of La Crosse’s first Climate Action Plan, completed in early 2025. Outside of elected office, she is a Fellow with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Local Government Leadership Program, where she supports local governments, both in the U.S. and internationally, in advancing their climate action goals and engaging in federal, state, and local policy advocacy.

She has also served two multi-year terms on Wisconsin-based nonprofit boards, helped lead a multi-year capital campaign, and directed a multi-million-dollar fundraising program as a Director of Development for a statewide nonprofit.

RENEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Josh Arnold • Madison, WI
Mike Barnett • Madison, WI
Eric Callisto • Madison, WI
Mike Cornell • Hartland, WI
Samara Hamze • Stevens Point, WI
Tonyisha Harris • Chicago, IL
Alicia Leinberger • Viroqua, WI
Mariah Lynne • Albert Lea, MN
Mackenzie Mindel • La Crosse, WI
Isaiah Ness • Milwaukee, WI
Lauren Reeg • Boulder, CO
Josh Stolzenburg • Wausau, WI
Michael Troge • Seymour, WI
Michael Vickerman • Madison, WI
Ken Walz • Madison, WI

Don Wichert (DIRECTOR EMERITUS/Lifetime/Non-voting) • Madison, WI

Thanks again to all of our members who participated in the election and used your voice to help shape RENEW’s future! And thank you to all candidates who offered their expertise and time to help our organization grow and thrive.

The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Future

The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Future

by | Jul 9, 2025 | Legislative Watchlist, RENEW Wisconsin

On July 4, President Trump signed the sprawling and controversial One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)—a massive budget reconciliation package with major implications for renewable energy development nationwide. While the bill is complex, its impacts on solar, storage, manufacturing, and project finance are substantial, and the timelines are tight.

Here’s what Wisconsin’s clean energy developers and businesses need to know, without the fluff.

Construction Start Dates: Get Moving Now

If you’re planning utility-scale solar, wind, or storage projects, start now. Waiting could cost you the federal tax credits that make these projects financially viable.

The bill incentivizes two waves of project starts:

– By December 31, 2025: To avoid the new restrictions on Chinese-made equipment and financing.
– Projects that begin construction by July 4, 2026, will be safe harbored under the old rules and have until the end of 2030 to be placed in service—effectively avoiding the stricter December 31, 2027 deadline.

The IRS has used a flexible standard since 2013 to define “construction start,” but that’s about to change. President Trump issued an executive order on July 7 directing Treasury to tighten the rules. Symbolic gestures like minimal site work or vague contracts likely won’t be enough anymore.

Technology-Neutral Tax Credits (Sections 45Y & 48E)

The OBBB confirms the transition to technology-neutral tax credits, which apply to:

– Zero or negative greenhouse gas emission power projects
– Energy storage (regardless of emissions)

Potential value: 30–70% of project cost, plus bonus credits for domestic content and energy communities.

Key deadline: Solar and wind projects must be in service by December 31, 2027 — unless construction begins before July 4, 2026.

Non-solar and non-wind projects (like geothermal, hydro, and biomass) have until the end of 2033 to start construction at the full credit rate, with step-downs in 2034 and 2035.

FEOC Rules: Chinese Equipment and Financing Under Fire

Beginning in 2026, projects using certain Chinese-made equipment or financing will be ineligible for major federal tax credits.

Exemption: Projects under construction by December 31, 2025.

Developers should begin sourcing alternatives now. Compliance with FEOC (Foreign Entity of Concern) rules is critical to preserving project economics.

End of the Road for the 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit

 Homeowners will no longer be eligible for the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. This applies to residential solar PV, battery storage, geothermal heat pumps, and other eligible technologies. Originally set to phase down gradually through 2034, the credit is now scheduled to end abruptly.

Unlike the commercial credit (48), Section 25D only applies to systems that are owned directly by the homeowner—not those installed under a lease or third-party power purchase agreement (PPA). This change hits especially hard in states like Wisconsin, where third-party financing remains legally ambiguous or restricted. Without the 25D credit or clear pathways for leasing, many homeowners could be effectively locked out of affordable clean energy options

What Does “Completed” Mean?

According to IRS and Treasury guidance, a system is only considered “placed in service” when it is fully installed, operational, and legally interconnected. Merely signing a contract, incurring preliminary expenses, pulling permits, or partially installing equipment does not qualify. The system must be fully functional and delivering energy to the grid by December 31, 2025.

While the IRS has historically applied a flexible standard for defining when “construction starts”—allowing for symbolic gestures like minor site work or vague contracts—that’s changing. A July 7 executive order from President Trump directs the Treasury to tighten the rules. Under the new law, substantial expenditure is now being used as the marker of project completion. This means only actual capital outlays toward completed, operational systems will count, raising the bar for what qualifies as “placed in service.”

Can Homeowners Still Use Carryover Credits?

Yes. If a homeowner’s 2025 tax credit exceeds their liability, they can carry over the unused amount into future years.

Example: A $30,000 solar system yields a $9,000 tax credit. If the homeowner’s 2025 tax liability is $6,000, the remaining $3,000 carries forward to 2026.

Action Steps for Installers
– Push to finalize and install projects well before year-end.
– Educate customers about the “placed in service” requirement.
– Help customers understand how carryover works for high-ticket systems.

Battery and Solar Manufacturing (Section 45X): Tightened and Trimmed

Manufacturing credits remain, but are more limited:

– Wind components lose eligibility after 2027.
– Stacking credits is restricted unless components are made domestically and in the same facility.

Eligibility has been expanded for battery modules with essential subcomponents, giving manufacturers more flexibility, provided they localize supply chains.

Legacy Credits: Still Alive, With Limits

Projects under construction before December 31, 2024, can still claim the older Section 45/48 credits. These projects avoid FEOC restrictions and retain favorable timelines for completion.

Note: The permanent 10% ITC under Section 48 has been eliminated.

Depreciation and Direct Pay: Shifting Gears

The Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) is the primary tax depreciation system used in the U.S. It allows businesses to recover the cost of certain tangible property over a specified number of years through annual tax deductions.

– MACRS Depreciation: Projects using tech-neutral credits still get 5-year depreciation. Geothermal projects using legacy credits do not.
– Bonus Depreciation: Restored at 100% for equipment acquired after January 19, 2025.
– Direct Pay: Remains for public entities and select private projects, including carbon capture, hydrogen, and clean tech manufacturing.

Clean Fuels and Carbon Capture

The OBBB makes targeted changes to clean fuel and carbon capture tax credits, tightening eligibility and reshaping project economics:

– Section 45Z: Clean fuel credits extended through 2029. Sustainable airline fuels credit drops to $1/gal in 2026. Feedstocks must be 100% from North America after 2025.
– Section 45Q: Carbon capture credits are now $85/ton for all qualifying uses, but only for new post-enactment projects.

Business Models Must Evolve

Installers, developers, and manufacturers must take decisive steps to adapt:
– Secure construction starts before deadlines.
– Rethink sourcing strategies in light of FEOC restrictions.
– Educate customers on the 25D deadline and maximize installations in 2025.
– Invest in domestic manufacturing and battery assembly capabilities.

Final Takeaway: The Clock Is Ticking

The OBBB is both a challenge and an opportunity. The incentives remain strong, but the rules are tighter, timelines are shorter, and the margin for error is shrinking.

Wisconsin’s clean energy sector must act with urgency, clarity, and discipline. Success in this new landscape will require speed and resilience—the kind built through strong partnerships, local supply chains, and long-term strategic planning.

RENEW Wisconsin can decode the bill’s nuances, support your project pipeline, and keep building momentum toward a resilient energy future.

Need help navigating the changes?

Let’s chart the path forward together—connect with our team to explore how these changes impact your projects and where RENEW Wisconsin can help.

Spring 2025 Solar for Good Grant Awards

Spring 2025 Solar for Good Grant Awards

by | Jul 8, 2025 | RENEW Wisconsin, Solar, Solar for Good

The Solar for Good grant program has awarded over $160,000 in solar panel donations to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations for the Spring 2025 grant round. The 15 nonprofits will install 16 projects for a total of 834 kilowatts of solar electricity, leading to more than $1.9 million in renewable energy investments in Wisconsin. 

The grant recipients from the Spring 2025 grant round are a diverse group of organizations, including libraries, nature centers, and houses of worship. Each facility’s solar project will create significant cost savings, allowing them to allocate more funds to their community-focused missions. 

The following organizations have been awarded Spring 2025 Solar for Good grants to install new solar energy systems:

Aldo Leopold Nature Center – education/conservation, Monona
Cinnaire Solutions Corporation (Collective on Fourth) – affordable housing, Madison
Whitehall Public Library – library, Whitehall
First Congregational Church, UCC – house of worship, La Crosse
Lakes Country Public Library – library, Lakewood
Milwaukee Community Sailing Center – recreation, Milwaukee
Our Nawakwa Youth Camp – education/conservation, Chippewa Falls
Quasimondo Physical Theatre – arts, Milwaukee
The Bridge to Hope – human services, Menomonie
Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA – house of worship, Arkdale
Urban Ecology Center (Washington Park and Prairie Springs) – education/conservation, Milwaukee
Ontario Public Library – library, Ontario
WestCap – affordable housing, Glenwood City
Wonewoc Public Library – library, Wonewoc

*One organization has asked to remain anonymous.

The Solar for Good initiative supports the expansion of solar power among mission-driven nonprofits and houses of worship across Wisconsin. Through a generous partnership with the Couillard Solar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to accelerating the transition to decarbonization, RENEW Wisconsin awards solar panels to nonprofit organizations seeking to transition to clean, renewable energy. 

“With generous support for our solar project, Ontario Public Library now has the incredible opportunity to invest more deeply in our community while also making a lasting impact in caring for the sustainability of our finances and our environment.”
– Rachel Conner, Library Director of Ontario Public Library

Since 2017, Solar for Good has awarded grants to over 230 nonprofits throughout Wisconsin, resulting in nearly $30 million in renewable energy investments. Collectively, these grant recipients are on track to install more than 10 megawatts of solar energy.

“Thanks to the Solar for Good program and the Couillard Solar Foundation, Our Nawakwa is proud to be moving forward with solar energy at Camp Nawakwa. We are especially grateful to the Chippewa Falls High School Green Team for their hard work, knowledge, enthusiasm, and advocacy. Together, this partnership strengthens our ability to provide environmental education, develop leadership skills, and promote wellness, ensuring Nawakwa’s legacy for generations to come.”
 – Sherry Jasper, Board President of Our Nawakwa, Inc.

With the help of Solar for Good grants, 16 new installations will advance Wisconsin’s transition to solar energy, promoting environmental stewardship and long-term energy savings. Looking ahead, the program remains dedicated to empowering community-centered nonprofits across Wisconsin—helping them make a positive environmental impact, promote economic growth, and better serve the people who depend on them.

“This opportunity through Solar for Good will make a huge impact. It reduces our carbon footprint, increases local air quality, and will provide cost savings to our small arts non-profit, ensuring our ability to serve our community.”
– Brian Rott, Artistic Director of Quasimondo Physical Theatre

RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization, works to advance renewable energy in the state through advocacy and support for solar power, wind energy, renewable fuels, local hydropower, electric vehicles, building electrification, and energy storage.

Many of the participating nonprofits are also benefiting from the federal direct pay provision—an important element of the Inflation Reduction Act. This policy allows tax-exempt entities to receive clean energy tax credits as upfront payments. For many organizations, this critical funding has made solar investments possible for the first time. In fact, for several of the projects highlighted here, direct pay played a crucial role in closing funding gaps and turning long-held clean energy goals into reality. Without it, many of these installations would not have been feasible.