by Alex Beld | Jul 19, 2023 | Electrification, Solar, Utilities
Energy Concepts LLC (Energy Concepts) has requested a waiver of individual electric metering requirements for the Prairie Heights Residences, a multifamily residence under development in Eau Claire. The petition presented to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) seeks this waiver to simplify the integration of high-performance building insulation, electrically powered Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump technology, and onsite solar into this new apartment building.
The development team—Gerrard Companies (developer), West CAP (property operator/manager) and Energy Concepts (energy system designer)—are collaborating to achieve significant reductions in overall building energy usage, minimizing tenant exposure to high energy costs. Meter consolidation is crucial to optimize the cost-effectiveness of these energy measures and pass these savings to tenants in the form of avoided utility payments.
The development team is specifically seeking to waive Wis. Admin. Code 113.0803 for the project. The Wis. Admin. Code 113.0803 states that any residential building constructed after March 1, 1980 with multiple units will be required to have a separate electric meter for each unit. This extends to any residential building with multiple units that undergoes renovations after March 1, 1980.
Allowing meter consolidation for this project is key for the implementation of the two solar arrays planned for the new apartment building. The grid-tied solar photovoltaic arrays will produce 350kW, and though it will be tied directly to the main electrical grid it’s likely only a small percent of the system’s output will be exported onto the grid, due to the relatively constant energy requirements of a building-wide VRF heat pump system
Electrically powered VRF heat pump technology is designed to provide both heating and cooling using the same equipment. Heat pumps also transfer heat rather than converting it from a fuel source, which allows properly installed systems to deliver as much as three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. When paired with renewable energy, as in this case, heat pumps are a particularly effective solution for reaching decarbonizing goals.
The technologies planned for the affordable housing development are relatively new and were unavailable to developers when the individual electric metering requirements were created under Wis. Admin. Code 133.0803. These requirements are an economic hurdle for projects like the Prairie Heights Residences and removing this hurdle allows the developer to simplify the installation of their solar arrays. Rather than connecting an array, or in this case arrays, to 60 individual units the waiver will allow for the arrays to be connected to a single meter.
The array is expected to supply 20% of the electricity estimated to be consumed by residences in both their individual units and shared spaces. Pairing the array with the high-performance insulation and an electric heat pump, which will heat and cool the building, it is expected that tenants will experience an exceptionally efficient heating and cooling system that further insulates them from high energy bills commonly experienced with traditional heating and cooling systems.
The development team’s use of tax credits and incentives, combined with these energy-saving, CO2-reducing measures to build new affordable housing is particularly innovative. It will significantly reduce the energy burden on the low to moderate income residents the project is for. West CAP plans to reserve 85% of its 60 units for tenants at or below 60% of the median county income, with 12 units specifically reserved for homeless or disabled veterans.
RENEW Wisconsin believes the approach taken by the Prairie Heights project team to incorporate energy savings and CO2 emissions reductions in new multifamily housing is exemplary and should serve as a model for other development groups. We have submitted comments in support of the waiver and are watching the case closely. The comment period remains open to the public through July 25, 2023.
by Alex Beld | Jul 14, 2023 | Community, RENEW Wisconsin
Thank you to all members who voted in our 2023 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 Stolzenburg, Alicia Leinberger, and Eric Udelhofen, and two newly elected board members, Michael Troge and Victoria Soloman. All will soon begin a three-year term, helping us advance renewable energy in Wisconsin.
MEET OUR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
VICTORIA SOLOMAN
I am honored to join the RENEW Wisconsin Board of Directors. I’m highly interested in this organization and position because I understand that RENEW is a leader on advancing clean energy in Wisconsin. I want to support taking such action now for current and future generations across all of Wisconsin.
Areas where I seek to add value to the RENEW Board of Directors:
● Building bridges through education and facilitating common ground. In my role at UW-Madison Division of Extension, I am part of a cross-programmatic team working in communities across Wisconsin on climate change. I have experience with government, multi-sector leadership, and deliberative dialogue on topics such as climate change.
● Connection with diverse networks. Every day I work with decision-makers across sectors in rural, suburban, and urban communities. I work with community leaders across sectors, races, cultures, languages, geography, educational level, and political perspective at local, state, and national levels.
● Planning, measuring, and communicating. I am a certified planner with organizational, county, and regional planning experience. Additionally, as an associate professor, I evaluate my current educational programming using a variety of tools to tell the story of my educational and research work. This is consistently effective in connecting with the community across diverse sectors and perspectives
MICHAEL TROGE
My introduction to RENEW was at the 1999 MREA energy fair. Little did I know this would change the course of my career. It’s been a fascinating ride full of ups and downs. The technologies are innovative, and the people are inspiring.
It’s taken a while to find my niche in the industry. I’m fortunate to work for Oneida Nation, allowing me and the Energy Team the flexibility to build a concept that has led to PV & solar-thermal installs, a variety of energy studies, climate preparation, and most recently the planning and design of the Oneida Nation Health Campus Resiliency Project featuring a microgrid with 2 MW horizontal tracking array and 6 MWh BESS. I value working with an Indian Tribe that has a progressive nature driven by a history of hardship. Tribes across the country are so different, but they’re all reaching for the same thing – their sovereign right to thrive. Energy is a big part of that.
I’m proud to be a founding board member of the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (2014) devoted to Tribal energy development. It’s grown to 20 member-Tribes. As a RENEW Wisconsin Board Member, I intend to continue to build those connections that encourage all organizations to partner toward a responsible energy future.
RENEW also recently welcomed Tonyisha Harris to our board, filling a mid-term board vacancy.
TONYISHA HARRIS
I am absolutely honored to join the RENEW Board of Directors.
As a member organization and communications point of contact of the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin (CECW), I have the pleasure of collaborating with RENEW on advancing clean energy in Wisconsin. Working with Jodi Jean Amble and occasionally Sam Dunaiski is an amazing opportunity to learn the landscape and best communication practicies that resonate with Wisconsinites. Sending a video to the RENEW Summit was an awarding experience and I’m glad to have been invited to represent young people at the summit.
Areas where I seek to add value to the RENEW Board of Directors:
● Education: I led student-run campaigns at Loyola University Chicago, including but not limited to “A Place at the Table,” a campaign geared towards making environmental organizations and activism more diverse and inclusive to students of color and non-environmental science/studies majors.
● Communications: As the Associate Director of Communications and Partnerships at ACE, I
excel at writing communications that resonate with young people, especially those with marginalized backgrounds and identities. This experience is critical to diversifying the membership and audience of RENEW.
RENEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Josh Arnold • Madison, WI
Mike Barnett • Madison, WI
Mike Cornell • Hartland, WI
Jim Funk • Winneconne, WI
Samara Hamze • Stevens Point, WI
Tonyisha Harris • Chicago, IL
Alicia Leinberger • Viroqua, WI
Mariah Lynne • Albert Lea, MN
Lauren Reeg • Boulder, CO
Amy Seeboth-Wilson • Platteville, WI
Victoria Soloman • Monticello, WI
Josh Stolzenburg • Wausau, WI
Michael Troge • Seymour, WI
Eric Udelhofen • Madison, WI
Ken Walz • Madison, WI
Don Wichert (DIRECTOR EMERITUS/Lifetime/Non-voting) • Madison, WI
Thank you for participating in the election and using 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.
RENEW Wisconsin
RENEW Wisconsin holds elections for our Board of Directors every year. If you or someone you know would like to be considered for our next election, please complete the short form linked below. Racial diversity and inclusion are a priority in our organization, and we strongly encourage people of color and other underrepresented groups to join us in advancing renewable energy in Wisconsin.
by Lauren Cohen | Jun 29, 2023 | Programs, Solar, Solar for Good
On Wednesday, June 13th, The Friends of the Sauk County Fairgrounds hosted an event to celebrate the completion of their 19-kilowatt solar array. The Friends of Sauk County Fairgrounds is a nonprofit whose mission is to help fundraise and support the preservation of the historic Sauk County Fairgrounds.
Located in the City of Baraboo, the 24-acre Sauk County Fairgrounds is now home to two solar arrays, totaling 52 panels. These installations, completed by All Sky Energy, are projected to generate over 26,000-kilowatt hours of electricity annually. By doing so, they will contribute to a 43% reduction in the fairgrounds’ yearly electric utility costs.
Steeped in a rich history spanning more than 150 years, the Sauk County Fairgrounds remains home to several original structures, a testament to their enduring legacy. These fairgrounds hold immense significance as a venue for historical preservation. While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their usual lineup of events, it also presented an opportunity for the Sauk County Fair to prioritize cost-saving measures, ensuring its continuation for another 150 years.
For the youth community in the region, the Sauk County Fair has served as a valuable educational resource, imparting knowledge about the vital role of agriculture. “By installing solar energy, we are showing a continued commitment to providing a safe venue for our youth to develop these skills, a long-term solution for cost savings, and the importance of helping save the environment at the same time,” said Amy Bible, treasurer of the Friends of the Sauk County Fairgrounds.
The Friends of the Sauk County Fairgrounds received funding from various organizations, including Focus on Energy and Solar for Good. Solar for Good, a program initiated by RENEW Wisconsin and the Couillard Solar Foundation, aims to promote and support solar power among mission-based nonprofits in Wisconsin. The collaborative efforts of these organizations have enabled the realization of these solar installations.
The Sauk County Fair prides itself on its inclusive nature, welcoming families of all income levels to explore the grounds at no cost. The installation of these solar arrays will not only contribute to preserving the fair’s legacy for future generations but also serve as a powerful symbol of environmental stewardship and technological progress for the residents of Sauk County.
The funds saved through this sustainable initiative will be redirected towards public education initiatives on agriculture and the preservation, maintenance, and upkeep of the fairgrounds’ century-old buildings and grounds. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the fair will continue to serve as a beacon of heritage, knowledge, and enjoyment for years to come.
Completing these solar arrays at the Sauk County Fairgrounds marks a momentous achievement in their mission to preserve and promote the historic fairgrounds. Through installing these solar arrays, the Friends of the Sauk County Fairgrounds are embracing sustainable practices and demonstrating their commitment to providing a safe venue for youth development, achieving long-term cost savings, and fostering environmental responsibility. This project is proof of the combined efforts of different organizations and highlights the long-lasting importance of the Sauk County Fair. It ensures that future generations can still enjoy its fascinating history and everything it provides.
by Lauren Cohen | Jun 29, 2023 | Programs, Solar, Solar for Good
On Tuesday, June 20th, Agrace Hospice Care commemorated the completion of its 87-kilowatt solar array with a ribbon cutting. Founded in 1978, Agrace Hospice Care is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide personalized care and support for life’s changing health needs.
Installed by Full Spectrum Solar, their 212-panel solar system is projected to produce 343,481 kilowatt hours annually, offsetting 31% of the organization’s annual usage. This solar system is just one aspect of Agrace’s plan for carbon neutrality by 2025. “There are absolutely financial savings that we will begin to enjoy a decade from now, but that’s not high on our reasons for doing this,” said Lynn Sexten, CEO of Agrace. “Making sure our services are available to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay, means we’re making sure we’re being a good corporate citizen, a good community partner, and helping to further cleaner air in our local communities.”
This project was made possible thanks mainly to Focus on Energy incentives and a Solar for Good grant. Created in partnership with the Couillard Solar Foundation, RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good program provided Agrace Hospice Care with a $10,000 grant to use toward their solar project.
As a nonprofit, Agrace strives to allocate as many resources as possible to direct caregiving and community services. The funds saved through this solar project will be reinvested in Janesville and other areas, ensuring the continued provision of exceptional care to those in need. By embracing solar energy and other initiatives that reduce its carbon footprint, Agrace sets an example for sustainable practices within its organization and the wider community.
To achieve their ambitious carbon-neutral goals, completing the solar array at their Janesville facility is just the beginning of Agrace’s commitment to renewable energy. They also have plans to install a solar array at their Madison facility, further emphasizing their dedication to environmental stewardship. Agrace aims to raise awareness about the positive impact of solar power on reducing operational costs, allowing for increased investment in patient care and community programs for years to come.
By embracing solar energy, Agrace demonstrates its determination to minimize its carbon footprint and allocate resources where needed most. As they continue expanding their renewable energy initiatives, Agrace paves the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for their organization and the communities they serve.
by Lauren Cohen | Jun 29, 2023 | Programs, Solar, Solar for Good
On Tuesday, June 20th, Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA) celebrated the completion of their 100-kilowatt solar array. Vernon Economic Development Association is a nonprofit that is dedicated to strengthening its community through economic development by bringing state and federal resources to its region.
The 180-panel ground-mounted array, designed and installed by Ethos Green Power Cooperative (EGPC), was installed on the Food Enterprise Center and is projected to produce nearly 130,000 kilowatt-hours annually, offsetting approximately 60% of the shared space usage.
“The electricity generated supports our common areas that serve small tenant businesses and refrigeration coolers produce and dairy produce storage for VEDA’s Community Hunger Solutions Program, which brings nutritious food to community members who lack access,” said Susan Noble, Executive Director of VEDA. This solar project is a critical part of our sustainability plan and a long-term solution fostering a stronger, more stable community.”
Several grants made this project possible, including Focus on Energy, Solar Moonshot, the BQuest Foundation, Associated Bank, GoMacro, Vernon Communications, EGPC Community Power Program, and individual community member donations.
VEDA also received a grant from Solar for Good, a RENEW Wisconsin program created in partnership with the Couillard Solar Foundation to help nonprofits go solar. Solar for Good awarded the organization half of the solar panels needed for their project.
This solar project will save the organization valuable dollars, which can then be reinvested into its mission and community. “It is clearly a powerful investment which will save $300,000 in electricity costs over 25 years that can be put towards other operations and helping more businesses grow,” said Mike Breckel, president of VEDA’s Board of Directors.
“Being able to utilize and demonstrate solar power to the community and the region is consistent with our mission to create sustainable economic growth that increases the prosperity and well-being of the people of this region while protecting and enhancing the area’s unique environment, which is the foundation of our rural lifestyle and quality of life,” continued Noble.
With over 20 businesses located at the Food Enterprise Center, this solar array will have a wide-reaching impact on its tenants and customers. Installations like VEDA highlight the long-term economic benefits of renewable energy investments. As a well-known and well-respected organization in their region, this solar installation will be an example to other community members.
by Lauren Cohen | Jun 29, 2023 | Programs, Solar, Solar for Good
On Friday, June 15, RENEW Wisconsin joined Madison Area Cooperative Housing Alliance (MACHA) to celebrate the completion of their 14.4-kilowatt solar array, made possible in part by MadiSUN Backyard Solar and Solar for Good grants. MACHA is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote resilience and equity in the Madison area by supporting the continuation and creation of cooperative housing.
This solar system was installed by Full Spectrum Solar and is projected to offset 97% of the building’s electricity usage for Perennial Co-op’s 11-person house, ensuring long-term affordability for its residents. The cooperative house will benefit from reduced utility bills by leveraging solar energy.
The installation was made possible through the support of several grants and incentives. The MadiSUN Backyard Grant, a program that awards grants to Madison-based nonprofits, awarded MACHA $9,725. In addition, MACHA also received a grant from Solar for Good, a program whose mission is to foster solar expansion among Wisconsin nonprofits. MACHA also received funding from Focus on Energy and loan support from Greenpenny.
The completion of this solar array comes at a critical time within the Madison housing market. “With housing costs in Madison increasing, more and more people are priced out of the housing market,” said Steve Vig, Secretary with MACHA. “Cooperative housing ensures long-term affordability, as does the transition to renewable energy infrastructure such as solar. Perennial Co-op sets an example for long-term affordability, climate-resiliency, and multi-generational living.”
Madison Cooperative Housing Alliance plans to use Perennial Co-op’s solar array as an example that other similar organizations can replicate. “We hope that Perennial Co-op’s new solar array can serve as a model for other cooperative houses in Madison,” said Gabrielle Hinahara, MACHA Board Member. “MACHA would be excited to collaborate with more co-op houses interested in installing solar. These projects are a win-win because they contribute to our community’s environmental sustainability and provide long-term financial sustainability for our cooperative houses, which often house residents with modest incomes.”
The completion of this solar array marks a significant milestone for promoting resilience, affordability, and sustainability in the Madison housing market. With housing costs rising, cooperative housing, coupled with renewable energy infrastructure, presents a solution for long-term affordability and sustainability. With this installation completed, other organizations have a laid-out path to follow suit, fostering an environmentally and economically viable community for Madison residents.
by Michael Vickerman | Jun 29, 2023 | Solar, Utilities, Utility Scale
Wisconsin electric providers added significantly more renewable energy content to their electricity supplies in 2022, according to a June 2023 report issued by the Public Service Commission. Overall, renewable energy accounted for 16.2% of Wisconsin electricity sales in 2022, increasing more than two percentage points from the 13.8% level recorded in 2021.
Renewable energy performance varied widely among individual electric providers. At the high end, Northern States Power-Wisconsin (Xcel-NSPW) reported that 44.5% of the electricity it sold in 2022 came from renewable energy sources (see Table 1). Though making up only 10% of Wisconsin electricity sales, Xcel-NSPW accounts for nearly 27% of the state’s total renewable electricity supply. Most of the utility’s added renewable energy supplies came from wind power projects in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Wisconsin Power and Light (Alliant-WPL) also posted healthy gains in 2022, rising from 20.2% in 2021 to 24% last year. Indeed, of the 11.3 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy sold in Wisconsin in 2022, about one-half of that total (5.7 million MWh) flowed through either Xcel-NSPW or Alliant-WPL to their customers.
Under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), electric providers must track their renewable energy sales from the previous year and provide those results to the Public Service Commission. The 2022 results are retrievable from the Commission staff memo issued in Docket 5-RF-2022, specifically Appendices D and E of PSC REF#: 470111. These annual reports also compile renewable electricity provided through utility renewable energy tariffs, such as community solar offerings.
The PSC’s RPS reports break down aggregate renewable power totals by resource and state of origin. Imports from other states accounted for nearly two-thirds of total renewable electricity sales (64% vs. 36%). In 2022, wind projects generated 74% of the renewable electricity sold in Wisconsin, followed by hydro (14%), solar (7%), and biomass (4%). Moving in with greater granularity, wind power originating from out-of-state sources accounted for 59% of total renewable energy sales, followed by in-state wind (15%), in-state hydro (10%, and in-state solar (6%).
The percentage of out-of-state wind generation relative to total renewable electricity sales has increased dramatically since 2017, rising from 48% to 59%.
Tracking individual utility performance
In the wake of utility commitments to substantially reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050, these compliance reports take on added importance in tracking electricity provider progress in meeting their goals. Table 1 below shows that while some utilities, such as Xcel-NSPW and Alliant-WPL, have responded quickly to the challenge, others, such as We Energies, have made little headway. As documented by these annual reports, the volume of renewable MWh sold to We Energies customers has declined since 2017.
Bear in mind that We Energies, the state’s largest electric utility, accounts for about one-third of total electric sales in Wisconsin (23.5 million MWh out of 69.9 million MWh). Of that total, only 1.46 million MWh, or 6.2%, were generated from renewable resources. While We Energies derives a significant portion of its electricity supply from the Point Beach Nuclear power plant (8.7 million MWh in 2022), it will be no small undertaking to acquire solar capacity quickly enough to overcome the lackluster results of recent years.
We Energies owns approximately 30 MW of the 1,000 MW of solar generating capacity presently operating in Wisconsin. Though its first two major solar investments—Badger Hollow 2 (50 MW) and Paris (150 MW)—are expected to commence operations in the fourth quarter of this year, their output won’t deliver a noticeable boost to We Energies’ renewable energy content until 2024, which will be reflected in the Commission’s 2025 RPS report. We Energies’ share of Badger Hollow 2 and Paris should generate 400,000 MWh/year, equivalent to 1.7% of We Energies’ 2022 sales.
We Energies will need to greatly accelerate the pace of their generation transition to become 20% renewably powered by 2030, effectively tripling the 1.46 million MWh recorded in 2022.
In contrast, 69% of the electricity supplies serving Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest territory came from carbon-free sources in 2022, according to its corporate sustainability report. (Note: the 69% number includes output from Xcel Energy’s two nuclear power units in Minnesota). By 2030, the percentage of carbon-free generation is expected to rise to 81%. The report also states that, by 2029, coal generation will no longer supply Xcel’s Upper Midwest territory, including NSPW.
This spring, Xcel-NSPW committed to purchasing the output from the Apple River solar farm in Polk County, adding 100 MW of solar power and 100 MW of storage capacity to its generation portfolio. Developed by National Grid Renewables, Apple River should be online sometime in 2025.
And by July 2024, Alliant-WPL will have completed and placed in service close to 1,100 MW of solar generating capacity in Wisconsin, which will account for 20% of that utility’s sales in the Badger State.
by Nolan Stumpf | Jun 27, 2023 | Electric Vehicles, Renewables, Solar
Solar fields can supply abundant, clean electricity – almost one-third of Wisconsin’s consumption by 2050 – using only a small portion of the state’s agricultural land. Nonetheless, solar energy development in agricultural areas raises new discussions of land use in Wisconsin. A recent report explores Wisconsin’s agricultural trends and outlines the potential solar energy has to sustain the state’s agricultural heritage, keep Wisconsin farmers in business, and provide environmental and economic benefits to the greater public. This blog will summarize the report’s findings and discuss the implications of solar energy development on land use for farmers in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s changing agricultural landscape
Wisconsin’s agricultural economy has changed substantially over the last several decades due to technological advancements, improved farm practices, evolving market conditions, and other macroeconomic trends. Data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that the amount of actively cultivated farmland has decreased by 23% since 1982, alongside the number of farm operations (from 90,000 to 64,100 in 2022).
At the same time, due to advancements in practices and technology, corn and soybean yields have increased dramatically (69% for corn and 75% for soybeans). However, the market’s oversupply has caused inflation-adjusted prices for corn to gradually decrease since 1909. Real prices for corn in 2022 are 51% lower than in 1940 and 42% lower than in 1980. Commodity price volatility has also added financial uncertainty for farmers, with farmers experiencing large annual swings in the prices received for corn. The downward trend in real prices and constant volatility in nominal prices shows why corn producers and other Wisconsin farmers face growing pressure to scale up their operations or sell their land.
Enrollment in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), an ecosystem services program aimed at improving soil health and managing the oversupply of crops, has been decreasing since the early 2000s in Wisconsin. However, about 200,000 acres of voluntarily retired farmland under the CRP in the state is planted with ground covers such as grasses, trees, and native plants in exchange for an annual payment from the federal government.
Achieving a net-zero economy in Wisconsin with solar energy
Recent trends have allowed farmers to incorporate solar developments into a portion of their property and, at the same time, continue farming and sustaining their agricultural businesses. Solar fields offer stable revenue streams for Wisconsin farmers and financial support to local governments through the state’s shared revenue formula. RENEW Wisconsin’s collaborative report, Achieving 100% Clean Energy in Wisconsin (100% Clean Energy Report), shows that solar development opportunities will grow for Wisconsin farmers over the next few decades. According to the report, solar energy will be Wisconsin’s predominant source of new emission-free electricity generation to achieve a net-zero economy. In the most economical net-zero scenario explored in the 100% Clean Energy Report, 28.3 Gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar would be installed by 2050.
Solar energy will cover a relatively small amount of land by 2050
Based on the 100% Clean Energy Report, assuming the land footprint for 1 MW of utility-scale solar is 7 acres, approximately 198,000 acres would be required to host utility-scale solar in Wisconsin by 2050. Our analysis assumed 7 acres per MW of utility-scale solar PV to account for the increased productivity of solar panels over time. As one of the leading renewable resource technologies for the clean energy transition, solar panel design and installation layout will likely improve in the coming years, meaning solar fields will generate more electricity with fewer total inputs – including land.
Building 28.3 GW of utility-scale solar capacity would require 198,000 acres of land, which is 0.57% of Wisconsin’s total land area (34.7 million acres). This would equate to 1.4% of total agricultural land (14.2 million acres) or about 2.4% of field cropland (8.4 million acres) in Wisconsin from another perspective. These percentages assume all of the 28.3 GW of solar would be sited on agricultural land, which is unlikely. Though utility-scale solar developments have predominately been sited on farmland in the past, a study from UW-Stevens Point shows the vast land area across the state that may be suitable for utility-scale solar development.
Ethanol and the future of energy farming
Farming for energy production is already common in Wisconsin, with about 37% of the corn grown used for ethanol. Wisconsin would only need to convert about 18% of corn-ethanol land to solar energy production by 2050 to achieve 28.3 GW of capacity. With a likely decrease in demand for corn-based ethanol needed by 2050 (due to the adoption of electric vehicles and substitution toward non-food crop feedstocks for biofuels), incorporating solar generation on farms is a way for Wisconsin farmers to help sustain their businesses.
A study by CLEAN Wisconsin demonstrates the efficiency of electric vehicles powered by solar energy over ethanol-powered vehicles. Their report finds that ethanol used in internal combustion engines requires about 85 times the amount of land to power the same amount of driving as solar-charged electric vehicles. Increased adoption of electric vehicles leads to decreasing gasoline demand and correspondingly diminishing the need for ethanol. With all else held constant, this trend will inexorably dampen corn prices received by the growers supplying local ethanol plants. Incorporating solar generation on farms is a way to sustain agriculture in Wisconsin, providing farmers with a stable revenue stream for years.
Co-benefits of solar energy on farms
Solar projects can provide beneficial ecosystem services to farmers and landowners in Wisconsin. Solar farms can last up to 35 years, allowing the land and soil underneath the arrays to rest and recover. Once a solar installation is decommissioned, the land can once again be farmed and will be more fertile when replanted, in contrast to residential or commercial development, which is much more permanent when complete [11]. Planting native plants and grasses amongst the arrays is becoming a standard practice, improving soil health and serving as pollinator environments.
In addition, advancements in design and technology have spurred research into agrivoltaics, or the simultaneous land use of solar energy generation and conventional agricultural activities. This co-location of activities provides many additional benefits, including dual revenue streams for the landowner and reduced heat stress on crops or grazing animals due to the shade of the solar panels. By altering the panels’ standard configurations and tilt schedules, researchers are investigating how to optimize crop yields and energy production.
Solar energy can help sustain Wisconsin farm businesses
Solar fields can supply almost one-third of Wisconsin’s electricity consumption in 2050 using a small portion of agricultural land. Nonetheless, agriculture is a significant part of Wisconsin’s economic and cultural identity, and Wisconsinites are connected to the image of Wisconsin’s landscape. As the farming industry continues to change, Wisconsin must allow farmers’ businesses to evolve. Solar developments can help family farms thrive with stable lease payments, support diverse soil health and ecosystem service benefits, and create local economic benefits. Wisconsin farmers and solar energy are helping to advance a stronger, healthier Wisconsin powered by clean energy.
by Julia Holzschuh | Jun 27, 2023 | Electric Vehicles, Electrification, Energy Storage, Events, Inflation Reduction Act, Local Government, Netzero Wisconsin, Policy, Programs, RENEW Wisconsin, Renewables, Solar, Solar for Good, Sustainability, Utility Scale
Last weekend, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) hosted the 32nd Annual Energy Fair, bringing people together to learn about sustainability and clean energy, connect with others, and take action toward a sustainable future. The Fair featured workshops, exhibitors, live music, inspiring keynote speakers, family fun, great local food, and more.
RENEW staff presented some compelling workshops and you can download slides from their presentations below.
Zero Carbon by 2050—A Path for Wisconsin
Andrew Kell, RENEW Policy Director, discussed zero-carbon goals and ongoing planning efforts in Wisconsin. Andrew also was a guest on a live podcast, focused on Wisconsin’s Net Zero future.
MadiSUN Workforce Training
Lauren Cohen, RENEW Program Coordinator, held a workshop regarding career growth opportunities within Wisconsin’s clean energy industry, focusing primarily on opportunities within the solar industry.
Vehicle-to-Grid: Opportunities and Challenges
Francisco Sayu, RENEW Emerging Technology Director, discussed how Vehicle-to-Grid technology unlocks the energy stored in electric vehicles and opens opportunities for energy trading, energy management, and grid resiliency.
Farming Sunshine: Solar and Ag Land Use
Nolan Stumpf, one of RENEW’s Interns, presented a session regarding solar farms and the opportunities and challenges of using the land for farming purposes and advancing clean energy.
Can Clean Energy Overcome Local Opposition?
Michael Vickerman, RENEW Clean Energy Deployment Manager, discussed the opposition clean energy faces at the local level and how to overcome those barriers.
by Francisco Sayu | Jun 16, 2023 | Advocacy, Electric Vehicles
Co-authored by Julia Herkert
In 1830s Scotland, an inventor named Robert Anderson dedicated himself to a parlor trick: a horseless carriage. By connecting a battery to a carriage, Anderson astounded the public with his vehicle that could mysteriously move on its own. While this carriage ran on a non-rechargeable battery that could hardly travel a few miles before running out of power, Anderson’s prototype triggered a breakthrough that would last centuries. Today, electric vehicles (EVs) have evolved into a leading force in the push toward a healthier and more sustainable way to transport people and goods, and it all started with a magic trick.
Hopefully, at this point, we don’t have to convince anyone that air pollution is harmful. But for those that prefer data over opinions, we recommend taking a look at a recent study by the University of Wisconsin–Madison suggesting that eliminating air pollution emissions from energy-related activities in the United States would prevent more than 50,000 premature deaths and provide more than $600 billion in benefits each year from avoided illness and death.
RENEW promotes EVs for the same reasons we encourage clean energy – replacing gasoline and diesel vehicles with EVs can help reduce air pollution and produce a healthier, more vibrant Wisconsin for all. Like clean energy deployment, putting EVs on the road requires strategic technology, policy, and infrastructure coordination. This coordination is essential because the technology alone isn’t enough to produce enduring results. Let’s look at the history of EV technology in America and the policies and infrastructure we need to unlock the benefits of an electrified – pollution-free – transportation future.
EVs have been around for decades, and many waves of innovation have occurred since Anderson’s horseless carriage prototype. The most recent wave of vehicle electrification in the U.S. started with General Motors’ EV1. The EV1 was considered the first mass-market electric vehicle and utilized lead batteries for a range of about 100 miles. “It was an exciting time because the technology of an electric vehicle was obvious,” stated Annette Clayton, a former executive at General Motors, “The question was, could you make money doing it… and if the cars were available, would you start to see the infrastructure to actually charge those vehicles become available?” You can watch the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? to learn more about General Motors’ EV1 program.
Unfortunately, while demand for the EV1 was high and the car was road ready, the infrastructure wasn’t prepared for the EV1. A pattern of electric transportation technology advancing beyond available infrastructure and policy has long plagued EVs’ stable integration into everyday transportation modes. Not only this, but General Motors was not making a substantial profit from the mass production of these vehicles despite there being a high demand for them. With little to no charging infrastructure to reduce range anxiety (the fear that an electric vehicle will not have enough battery charge to reach its destination, leaving its occupants stranded) and little room for profit, General Motors bought back their EV1s and killed the electric car. Two decades later, EV technology is unquestionably ready, and several automakers are swearing to go all-EV by 2040 or sooner.
Only one percent of the 250 million cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks on American roads are electric, but the industry projects that 25 to 30 percent of new car sales could be electric by 2030. Moreover, electric vehicle prices continue to decrease while vehicle range (the distance an EV can travel on a single charge) continues to increase. Refueling times are getting shorter, too, with some EV models capable of recharging their batteries to 80 percent in less than 18 minutes.
Now that EV technology is ready, The Federal, State, and local governments are investing in developing the necessary infrastructure. Specifically, the U.S Government plans to build a network of 500,000 EV charging stations along the main highway corridors by 2030. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, or NEVI, provides funding to build EV charging stations within a mile of the main highway corridors at least every fifty miles. Wisconsin is planning to use $78.6 Million from the NEVI plan to build 62 EV charging hubs along I-90, I-94, I-39, I-41, I-43, and other highways. Check this blog post to learn more about Wisconsin’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) plan.
So, what about EV policy? And why do we need policies to deploy EVs? EVs use electricity rather than petroleum fuels, and because electricity markets are heavily regulated, many aspects of EV deployment are controlled by energy regulation. For example, in Wisconsin, only public utilities are allowed to sell electricity. In other words, EV charging stations operating in Wisconsin are not allowed to charge EV drivers by the amount of electricity that goes into their EV batteries or kilowatt-hours used. Instead, EV charging stations in Wisconsin charge a parking fee as a proxy for EV charging. On our last visit to an Electrify America fast charging station, we paid $4.32 for 27 minutes of charge, billed at $0.16 per minute. These time-based rates create inequities with fast charging because EVs have different charging speeds. Put, EV drivers of slower-charging EVs pay more for electricity at public charging stations in Wisconsin than those who drive faster-charging vehicles. An example to illustrate this is that the Porsche Taycan can take up to 270 kW of power, while the Chevrolet Bolt can only handle up to 50 kW. This means that Porsche drivers pay significantly less than Chevrolet drivers when using fast charging stations that provide over 50 kW, which is unfair. The NEVI plan requires energy-based billing at all EV charging stations built with federal funding to address this issue. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is among the few states prohibiting energy-based EV charging fees. The NEVI plan also requires a minimum charging speed of 150 kW at all charging stations.
But not all EV policies are about electricity. Many EV policies address the affordability of EVs and access to home charging. For example, Vermont passed a law to help the highest-need drivers switch to EVs and save on fuel costs. The state of Illinois is creating legislation to make it easier for multifamily dwellers to access home EV charging. Other EV policies include topics related to road funding (gas tax), direct sales of EVs, and emissions standards.
The moment has finally arrived where infrastructure and policies are catching up to the advanced technologies of EVs, and these cleaner vehicles are now rightfully taking center stage in the movement toward a more sustainable future. Through technological innovation, infrastructure development, and smart policymaking, EVs provide solutions to many problems ranging from air pollution to energy security. Next time you are in the market for a new or used vehicle, you should test drive an EV. You won’t regret it!
