by General Manager Steve Stroshane
Nine 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 12 utility scale solar arrays across Wisconsin. Over the next two years, the partnership will add 22 megawatts of new solar generation. The arrays will generate enough electricity to power 4,000 homes for rural co-op members.
We are coordinating the timing of our local solar project with other cooperatives to get a better price and return on our investment for our members. The array on Polk-Burnett’s system will be 2 MW; the total for all nine co-ops combined will be 22 MW.
Construction is set to begin in each co-op community in 2023 through 2024. The 12 solar arrays will be owned and operated by OneEnergy Renewables, and the co-ops will purchase the solar energy output at a fixed rate.
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 membership by providing clean power at a long-term, stable cost.
Restoring native prairie
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 12 arrays will be restored with prairie grasses and wildflowers, providing habitat for pollinators and healthy root systems to prevent soil erosion from wind and rain.
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 15 projects across Wisconsin, and another 11 in adjacent states.
Eric Udelhofen, OneEnergy's VP of development, said, “We are excited to partner with electric cooperatives to help bring affordable, clean energy to rural Wisconsin. We look forward to delivering cost-effective, reliable electricity for your local communities.”
Wisconsin co-ops in the OneEnergy Renewable partnership are:
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative, Cornell, 1.5 MW
Clark Electric Cooperative, Greenwood, 2 MW
Dunn Energy Cooperative, Menomonie, 3 MW
Oakdale Electric Cooperative, Tomah, 4.5 MW
Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services, Ellsworth, 2 MW
Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, Centuria, 2 MW
Price Electric Cooperative, Phillips, 1.5 MW
St. Croix Electric Cooperative, Hammond, 4 MW (Update: Part of original project, but opted out.)
Vernon Electric Cooperative, Westby, 1.5 MW
Local Georgetown array
Georgetown Solar will become the second utility scale solar project in Polk-Burnett’s service area. The array will be constructed in Georgetown Township, about 10 miles east of our Centuria office. The 12-acre site will have 4,472 panels that operate on a tracking system to follow the path of the sun for maximum power generation. The 2 MW solar array will generate about 4.3 million kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 430 homes.
Georgetown Solar not only adds more clean energy to the grid, but it will also relieve overloading at substations and help offset power market costs.
Polk-Burnett supports a balanced transition to a lower carbon future. We’re gradually investing in local solar to become less reliant on volatile energy markets and strengthen grid reliability.
Polk-Burnett’s first solar array, SunTuria Solar, was dedicated in 2017 behind the co-op office in Centuria. The 1.25 MW array generates power for about 200 homes. It is owned and operated by ENGIE North American, and the co-op purchases the solar energy output.
We invite school and community groups to join us for a tour!
Watch for more about our local Georgetown Solar development this summer. We plan to break ground soon!
