Co-op enters partnership to develop Luck and Viola solar

by General Manager Steve Stroshane

Ten Wisconsin electric cooperatives are working together to get the best volume pricing on solar energy for their members. We have formed a partnership with OneEnergy Renewables of Madison to develop and construct 13 utility-scale solar arrays across Wisconsin. Over the next two years, the partnership will add 37 megawatts of new solar generation. The arrays will generate enough electricity to power 9,650 homes for rural co-op members.

Here at Polk-Burnett, we are coordinating the timing of two new local solar projects with other cooperatives to get a better price and return on our investment for our members. The arrays on our system will generate 5 MW of peak energy, 2.5 MW in Polk County and 2.5 MW in Burnett County.

Construction is planned in each co-op community during 2025 through 2026. Each array will be developed on property leased from local landowners, with panels that operate on a tracking system to follow the path of the sun for maximum power generation. Polk-Burnett and other Wisconsin co-ops in the partnership will purchase the solar energy at a fixed rate over the long term.

Cooperation among cooperatives is our guiding principle for this project. Wisconsin electric cooperatives are known for our work together to benefit members; for example, you often see co-ops assisting each other with storm recovery. This solar partnership will benefit our local members by providing clean power at a stable, long-term cost.

Restoring native prairie and pollinator habitat

Co-op solar arrays are dual-purpose spaces that provide renewable energy for members, as well as acres of important ecosystems. The ground under all 13 arrays in Wisconsin will be restored with pasture, prairie grasses and wildflowers, providing habitat for pollinators and healthy root systems to prevent soil erosion from wind and rain. Some sites will even be grazed by sheep in partnership with farmers.

OneEnergy Renewables brings experience and expertise

OneEnergy Renewables is a leading solar energy company in Wisconsin that offers expertise in site development, engineering, equipment purchasing, construction and operations. The Madison-based team has developed 31 projects across Wisconsin, and another 11 in adjacent states.

Eric Udelhofen, OneEnergy’s VP of development, said, “We are excited to partner with this group of electric cooperatives to help bring affordable, clean energy to rural Wisconsin. We look forward to delivering cost-effective, reliable electricity to serve your local communities.”

Wisconsin electric co-ops included in the OneEnergy Renewable partnership:

• Barron Electric Cooperative, Barron, 7.25 MW  
• Clark Electric Cooperative, Greenwood, 2.5 MW  
• Dunn Energy Cooperative, Menomonie, 2.5 MW  
• Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, Eau Claire, 2.5 MW  
• Jump River Energy Cooperative, Ladysmith, 2.5 MW  
• Oakdale Electric Cooperative, Tomah, 4.5 MW  
• Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, Centuria, 5 MW  
• Riverland Electric Cooperative, Arcadia, 3 MW  
• St. Croix Electric Cooperative, Hammond, 5 MW  
• Vernon Electric Cooperative, Westby, 2.5 MW

Introducing Luck and Viola solar

I'm pleased to introduce two new utility-scale solar projects in our local service area, one in Polk County and one in Burnett County, as part of the Wisconsin electric cooperative partnership with OneEnergy Renewables.

Local solar not only adds clean energy to the grid, it also provides financial and operational benefits for co-op members.

Local solar helps us become less reliant on the volatile energy market and aligns with our mission of providing reliable electricity at an affordable cost. Both local projects are planned for 2025.

Luck Solar will be connected to the Luck Substation north of the village in the Town of Luck. The 13-acre site will have 5,200 panels. The 2.5 MW solar array will generate about 5,261,400 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 635 homes.

Viola Solar will be our first utility-scale solar project in Burnett County. It will be constructed about five miles east of Polk-Burnett’s office between Siren and Hertel, near Viola Lake. The 2.5 MW solar array will generate about 4,938,000 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 595 homes. The 13-acre site will have 5,200 panels and is located next to the Hertel Substation to help relieve high summer demand in the area.

Polk-Burnett also worked with OneEnergy to develop Georgetown Solar northeast of Balsam Lake. It was energized in December 2023. The 2 MW array generates about 4.3 million kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 430 homes. The 12-acre site has 4,472 panels and is located next to the Bunyan Substation to help relieve high summer demand in the area. See our website to view solar energy output.

Polk-Burnett’s first solar array, SunTuria Solar, was dedicated in 2017 behind the co-op in Centuria. The 1.25 MW array generates power for about 200 homes. It is owned and operated by ENGIE North America, and the co-op purchases the solar energy output. Visit our website to see energy output and schedule a school or community tour.

Wildflowers bloomed last summer under the Georgetown Solar array near Balsam Lake. Two more utility-scale solar projects are being developed by OneEnergy Renewables and Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, one near Luck and one near Viola Lake between Siren and Hertel. Both are expected to be energized in 2025.