Better Together: How Community Engagement Improves Large-Scale Solar Projects

Better Together: How Community Engagement Improves Large-Scale Solar Projects

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Renewables, Solar, Utility Scale

As we work to decarbonize Wisconsin’s economy, the need for large-scale solar (LSS) development continues to grow. But solar panels alone won’t build our clean energy future. How developers and advocates plan, engage, and invest in communities can determine whether a project is a symbol of prosperity or a source of resistance. The process makes all the difference.

Several Wisconsin organizations are working directly with communities to shape how clean energy projects are planned and built. RENEW Wisconsin and Clean Wisconsin support large-scale solar developments by highlighting the benefits they bring to local economies and landowners. Wisconsin Land and Water supports county conservation staff and local officials by providing guidance on land use and policy considerations related to energy siting. UW-Madison Extension educates and engages communities through RESET (Renewable Energy Siting & Engagement for Tomorrow), a program that helps communities prepare and plan for large-scale renewables.

A 2023 research article titled “Good fences make good neighbors: Stakeholder perspectives on the local benefits and burdens of large-scale solar energy development in the United States,” explores how LSS solar projects are perceived and how to align solar development with local values. Through interviews with residents, developers, and public officials, the researchers found that community pushback is often less about solar and more about how projects are introduced and implemented.

I encourage you to read the full report. In the meantime, here are my four key takeaways from the study that offer guidance for better solar development:

  1. Start with Meaningful Engagement

Public meetings and legal notices aren’t enough. Communities want a seat at the table from day one. Study participants emphasized the need for early, consistent, in-person engagement throughout a project’s timeline, from planning to decommissioning.

Some of the best ideas include hosting solar bus tours, creating local advisory groups, holding job-training workshops, and sharing visuals of project designs. These efforts help demystify the process and show local residents that their input matters.

  1. Empower Local Liaisons

People trust people they know. Using local third-party intermediaries like community champions, nonprofits, or university partners can have a big impact on the success of a project. These liaisons can be the bridge between developers and residents, communicating in ways that resonate locally and holding all parties accountable.

Developers may know solar, but local partners know their communities. The best projects use these strengths to build trust and reduce tensions.

  1. Be Honest About Tradeoffs

No project is perfect, and developers must communicate tradeoffs transparently, whether it’s changes to the visual landscape, land-use concerns, or vegetation preferences. Residents should be invited to learn from neighboring communities to discuss the long-term impacts of land use. Developers and advocates should also be forthcoming about other aspects of the project, including the visibility of substations and transmission lines, as well as any local resources that may be impacted during construction.

Transparency and clarity can go a long way in building trust, dispelling rumors and misinformation, and improving overall community sentiment about a solar project.

  1. Demonstrate and Deliver Real Community Benefits

Residents want to see that these solar projects will improve their quality of life. Developers and advocates should highlight local benefits, including access to good-paying jobs, fair land lease payments, or energy savings for nearby households.

The study found that some developers overlook the input of project neighbors. In addition, the profits from land leases sometimes go to absentee owners or corporations. Officials and communities are calling for stronger community benefits agreements that ensure the value of clean energy stays local and lasts long after the developers have left town.

We Can Develop Solar That Works for Everyone

This study is a reminder that solar success isn’t just about megawatts. It’s about relationships and transparency. In many ways, the responsibility of this community engagement work begins with developers. Fortunately, RENEW has several developer members who lead by example, showing how authentic community engagement can lead to better outcomes. Wisconsin’s most successful LSS projects demonstrate that if we want clean energy to power a better future, we need to build projects with communities, not just in them.

Let’s continue to engage in policies and practices that make solar smarter, more inclusive, and grounded in local Wisconsin values.

Maple Grove Solar Approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Maple Grove Solar Approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

by | Jan 16, 2025 | Renewables, Solar

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has approved the Maple Grove Solar project, a 260-megawatt (MW) project with a 50 MW battery which will be located in Barron County, Wisconsin. Commissioned by ibV Energy Partners, this project will produce enough energy to power more than 30,000 homes.

Along with getting us another step closer to our decarbonization goals, Maple Grove Solar will produce significant economic benefits for the surrounding area. During its construction phase, an estimated 608 jobs — 286 of them being local — will be created. Upon completion, the project will support just under 30 long-term jobs with 18 of them being local. In addition, the county and towns that host this project will receive a $1.3 million boost in new yearly tax revenue.

RENEW Wisconsin staff have advocated for the project since it was proposed. Our policy team provided expert testimony and analysis in support of the project, which helped the PSC reach their decision. While sharing the reasoning behind their decision, PSC Commissioner Kristy Nieto directly referenced RENEW staff testimony.

RENEW’s testimony highlighted the various economic advantages of the project along with the benefits for farmers, expected emissions reductions, and general health.

  • Projects like this help to keep farms with families thanks to diversified revenue from the land leases
  • More than 400,000 short tons of carbon emissions will be avoided in the first year of the project’s operation
  • The reduction of emissions can limit additional strain on the rural healthcare system by reducing pollutant-related illnesses

The construction of Maple Grove Solar is expected to be completed sometime in 2029.

Powering the Future: How Microgrids are Transforming Energy Resilience and Sustainability

Powering the Future: How Microgrids are Transforming Energy Resilience and Sustainability

by | Dec 16, 2024 | Microgrids, Renewables

Imagine a smaller, self-sufficient version of our main electricity grid that can power neighborhoods, communities, and even single homes. That’s the basic idea behind a microgrid – a localized energy system designed to produce and use power independently or in tandem with the larger grid.

Microgrids and traditional grids have similar components. Both rely on electricity production and send that energy where it is needed, also known as a load. Both ensure a match between energy production and the amount of energy needed. Microgrids are used for many reasons, including grid independence, security from natural disasters, or simply lowering community energy costs.

Microgrids can utilize some of the best clean technology by incorporating batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal technology, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and smart appliances to increase their efficiency.

Natural Disaster Relief

With the increase in natural disasters, energy security – not just at the national level but also at the local level – has become increasingly important. Microgrids offer energy security during outages.

A great example of microgrid innovation is a partnership between Alliant Energy and the village of Boaz in Richland County. This project demonstrates a simple microgrid, called a community microgrid, that provides energy to the 200 residents during grid power outages. Depending on its size and capacity, the microgrid can serve a community’s emergency response centers, water and wastewater treatment plants, grocery stores, fueling stations, government buildings, shelters, and sometimes the residents’ homes.

The $3 million project in Boaz includes a 400-kilowatt (kW) lithium iron phosphate battery connected to the community’s main distribution line. It supplies enough power for up to eight hours in the event of a grid outage. This setup provides critical power to residents and allows Alliant Energy the necessary time to resolve issues without causing community members to experience a critical loss of energy service.

Critical Infrastructure Support

Uninterruptible power is essential in health care, so reliable and sustainable energy solutions are paramount. Bellin and Gundersen Health Systems – soon to be Emplify—and Xcel Energy have announced a new microgrid project that will create one of the first fully resilient, renewable energy-powered health care campuses in the United States. The project, set to be completed in 2026, offers an example of how complex a microgrid can be.

This microgrid, being built at the Onalaska campus in La Crosse County, is considered a campus microgrid. A campus microgrid serves multiple buildings within a single company or organization. The microgrid will utilize a new battery energy storage system, the campus’s existing rooftop solar, and biogas energy from the La Crosse County landfill. It is expected to manage about 4.5 million kW of power per year, which is about the annual energy use of 411 homes.

This microgrid will allow one of Bellin and Gundersen Health System’s largest campuses to continue operating and providing essential care to the surrounding communities even during a power outage.

Remote Community Energy Supply

Microgrids can also provide critical infrastructure even in the most remote and cold places. The Alaska villages of Shungnak and Kobuk, located within the Arctic Circle, are not connected to the power grid and have relied on three diesel generators for power. Today, they are using a newly constructed hybrid microgrid.

Hybrid microgrids generate power using two or more locally sourced energy sources, such as wind and solar and include a battery for energy storage. These systems can connect to the main grid or operate independently (islanded), providing flexible and reliable power. The microgrid in Shungnak and Kobuk utilizes 233-kW of solar, 384 kilowatt hours (kWh) of battery storage, the three existing diesel generators, and a control system designed and managed by Ageto Energy.

The microgrid has saved these communities and their 450 residents over $200,000 in annual fuel costs while also protecting them from the fluctuations of the diesel market.

Vehicle-to-Grid Mobile Microgrids

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, a new technology known as “vehicle-to-grid” is emerging. This technology allows electric vehicles to serve as mobile power sources for the grid. Originally developed as “vehicle-to-load” to power devices directly, vehicle-to-grid technology extends this capability by enabling electric vehicles to supply electricity back to the grid, effectively turning them into mobile microgrids. A few utilities around the country have started to explore this technology in pilot programs.

Since December 2020, five electric school buses from Lion Electric in White Plains, New York, have been providing power back to the grid when they are not transporting students. This typically occurs during weekends, holidays and summer months, coinciding with peak electrical demand on the grid. With supportive policies and proper charging infrastructure, this same concept could expand to residential owners and commercial fleets, transforming electric vehicles from electricity consumers into valuable contributors to energy resilience.

Conclusion

Microgrids offer communities a way to lower energy costs, supply energy to critical infrastructure, and increase grid resilience. They promote beneficial partnerships between energy providers and the companies and communities they serve. In this way, microgrids offer a glimpse into how clean technology, if implemented properly, can provide cost savings, energy independence, and a healthy environment that can benefit the grid as a whole.

Vista Sands Approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Vista Sands Approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

by | Dec 12, 2024 | Renewables, Solar

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has approved the Vista Sands solar project at its full size of 1.3 gigawatts. The impact of this decision is difficult to overstate, as this project alone will reduce the carbon emissions of our state’s electric sector by nearly 5 percent. This would mean the removal of 1.7 million short tons of carbon emissions each year by producing enough solar energy to power nearly 250,000 typical Wisconsin homes.

The project also has significant economic benefits and is expected to create about 2,200 jobs during the construction period along with 165 long-term jobs. In all the project is estimated to increase Wisconsin’s long-term economic output by more than $50 million. Local governments within the project area will also benefit from annual utility aid payments of $6.5 million through the course of the project’s life.

RENEW Wisconsin staff and our supporters have advocated for the project since it was proposed by the developer, Doral Renewables, LLC. Our policy team provided expert testimony and analysis in support of the project, which helped the PSC reach their decision to approve it. In their decision on Thursday, December 12, the PSC affirmed the collaborative efforts of the developer as it navigated competing opinions surrounding the project.

The project was at risk of being subjected to half-mile setbacks from the Buena Vista Wildlife Area, which would have significantly reduced its size and put the economics of the project in jeopardy. The request for the setback came out of concern for the greater prairie chicken, a threatened species of bird.

RENEW recognizes the need for balance as we work to meet our decarbonization goals and we agree with the PSC that the Doral provided robust collaboration with the many parties interested in the project and surrounding area. Around 90 percent of the project is located more than half a mile from the wildlife area and the developer has set aside additional habitat for greater prairie chicken populations. The developer also eliminated most of the above-ground transmission in their plan, will install bird diverters on fencing, and will fund the maintenance of existing conservation land.

Now that it’s approved, the project is expected to break ground in the spring of next year with an estimated completion date of December 2028. This project sets a new bar for future solar installations across the state.

Empowering Tribal Nations: The Shift to Clean Energy

by | Jul 31, 2024 | Advocacy, Community, Community Solar, Electrification, Energy Storage, Health, Home, Inflation Reduction Act, Local Initiatives, RENEW Wisconsin, Renewables, Sustainability

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is committed to preserving their environment and fostering sustainable growth. In the face of a rapidly changing climate, investing in clean energy isn’t just about harnessing the power of the sun and wind—it’s about empowering their community, protecting their sacred lands, and ensuring a vibrant future for generations to come. With increased clean energy funding opportunities, such as those provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is creating new opportunities, enhancing economic resilience, and supporting the Tribe’s cultural values.

Special thanks to Isaiah Ness (Sun Bear Industries) and Zoar Fulwilder (Mavid Construction Services) for their work to advance clean energy in Tribal communities and for inviting RENEW to witness the transformation.

Clean Energy Works Profile – Sam Lammers

Clean Energy Works Profile – Sam Lammers

by | May 20, 2024 | Clean Energy Works, Renewables, Solar

Sam Lammers entered the renewable energy industry a little over a year ago but has already taken on a leadership role at Arch Solar as the DC Crew Lead. The Wisconsin native was raised in Sheboygan and until recently, she worked in the nearby Washington and Waukesha Counties as an Invasive Species Coordinator and also Conservation Warden for the Department of Natural Resources.

“…sustainability and conservation have always been a passion of mine,” Lammers said.

Lammers went to school at UW – Green Bay where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and planning. Her passions, however, extend beyond the environment. Lammers is also the owner of her yoga studio and it was through one of her clients that she learned about Arch Solar.

“Actually finding Arch Solar came as kind of an accident, I was having breakfast with one of my yoga clients,” Lammers said. “I actually own a yoga studio, and she was telling me about her job and how I would be a really good fit for it. She asked me if it’s something I would be interested in and if I would check out.”

Lammers quickly learned how right her client was. She has found the work rewarding and just shortly after her one-year anniversary, Lammers is already looking for ways to grow in her role. Within the next year, she hopes to be a part of the electrician apprenticeship program.

“I absolutely love the opportunities I get at the job,” Lammers said. “The role is always kind of growing and adapting, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Among the many things Lammers enjoys about her work is working with customers and generally educating the public about the work she does. Lammers said that when she gets on a job site she enjoys the opportunity to not only ease the minds of customers but help them realize their sustainability goals.

“I believe in all forms of sustainability and the renewable industry,” Lammers said. She added that she loves being able to bring her passion for being outside while working hard in a role within the renewable energy industry.

And though she has a deep appreciation for her role in the industry and the team she works with, the position is not without some challenges.

“I would say my biggest challenge, just being almost a decade older than most of the guys I work with on the roof, is just kind of the physical demand of the job,” Lammers said. She noted that there are days she doesn’t feel like getting on a roof, but she reminds herself how great it is to get to work outside. Good teamwork is essential when regulary working on roofs. As Lammers noted she has a fabulous team that trusts each other and has each other’s backs.

“I appreciate the wide variety of individuals that I get to work with in the renewables industry,” Lammers said. “The field crews, office staff, salespersons, and customers all bring their own experiences, expertise, and questions to every job we do and it’s incredible being able to learn from everyone involved. The renewables industry is an ever-growing field and there is always something new and exciting to learn about or adapt to our practices on the roof.”