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!
by Julia Holzschuh | May 30, 2023 | Community, Electric Vehicles, Events
RENEW Wisconsin was honored to participate in the Monona (WI) Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29. Emerging Technology Director Francisco Sayu, his family, and RENEW Intern Julia Herkert attended this community celebration to honor U.S. veterans and spread awareness about electric vehicles (EVs) and Wisconsin’s clean energy future.
“To participate in an event where staff members were able to connect with the community, but also able to honor the Americans who have given their lives serving their country, was an uplifting and memorable experience,” said Herkert. “RENEW hopes the information shared with parade attendees helps Wisconsin families understand the benefits of transitioning to EVs.”
RENEW staff walked alongside Geoff Hoffman; The owner of Hoffman Manufacturing and an advocate of clean energy, who provided a Tesla Roadster —Tesla’s first production car— to use as a parade vehicle.
Decorated with a RENEW Wisconsin banner, the car was immediately recognized by many as Hoffman’s Tesla is a popular sight among members of the community of all ages. RENEW staff members were happy to answer questions ranging from “Are electric vehicles convenient for owners with families?” to “Woah, is that a Tesla?”.
RENEW staff addressed many questions about EV operation and charging infrastructure. They were also able to communicate the benefits of a decarbonized Wisconsin economy.
RENEW is grateful to Hoffman Manufacturing and the City of Monona for the opportunity to participate in this event and discuss renewable energy and electric vehicles with the Monona community.
by Francisco Sayu | Apr 27, 2023 | Electric Vehicles, Electrification, Inflation Reduction Act
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just announced a new round of competitive funding through the Clean School Bus (CSB) Grants Program. This is the second funding opportunity for clean school buses from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Unlike the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates, this new funding opportunity is competitive – instead of a lottery. We encourage school districts to partner with other communities, transportation providers, and electric utilities for their application. Any eligible school district or third-party applicant must be set up on grants.gov and SAM.gov. Interested parties should confirm they are registered and current on both websites as soon as possible.
Why Electric School Buses?
Cost savings: electric buses get the equivalent of 17 miles per gallon (MPG) compared to 6 MPG for diesel buses; these savings can amount to more than $170,000 across the bus lifecycle.
Health benefits: electric school buses cut diesel emissions, benefiting communities burdened by air pollution and high childhood asthma rates.
Energy security and independence: electric buses can run on locally sourced renewable energy from a nearby solar or wind farm, which helps the local economy.
Electric buses have operated safely and reliably in many parts of the United States, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Alaska. Although electric buses are cheaper to own and operate than traditional diesel buses, the initial cost of new buses has been a barrier to adoption, and only a few schools have been able to afford them. The Clean School Bus (CSB) Grants Program is solving this problem by covering up to 100% of the cost of new buses so that schools can save money without a significant out-of-pocket expense. Sounds too good to be true? Check out this blog post to find the list of school districts that already received awards for new electric buses in Wisconsin.
2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grants Program Overview
The EPA is awarding approximately $400 million in competitive grants under the Clean School Bus (CSB) Grants Program. The grant application will allow for a minimum of 15 buses and up to 50 buses for school district applicants and for a minimum of 50 and up to 100 buses for third-party applicants serving at least four school districts. Awardees will receive up to $395,000 per bus without cost-sharing or matching requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically to EPA through grants.gov by Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
Eligible applicants include the following entities:
- Local or State governmental entities providing school bus service to one or more public school systems
- Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and tribally controlled schools providing school bus service to one or more Bureau-funded schools
- Nonprofit school transportation associations
- Public charter school districts responsible for the purchase, lease, license, or contract for the service of school buses for that charter school
- Eligible contractors
Please refer to the grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific information about this
competition.
Important Dates
| Activity |
Date |
| Information Sessions |
The first Information Session will be on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. (ET). Click here to register. |
| Deadline for Submitting Questions |
Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| NOFO Closes – Application Deadline |
Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Anticipated Notification of Selection |
November 2023 to January 2024 |
| Anticipated Awards |
February to March 2024 |
Schools can submit questions to cleanschoolbus@epa.gov. Please type “Clean School Bus NOFO Question” in the subject line of your email. The deadline for submitting questions via email is Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Schools may also contact Francisco Sayu, Emerging Technologies Director RENEW Wisconsin, at francisco@renewwisconsin.org, for general help with this grant application.
by Francisco Sayu | Apr 26, 2023 | Electric Vehicles, Electrification, Inflation Reduction Act
The clean energy revolution is taking place across America, and Wisconsin communities can benefit in several ways. For example, by transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the state can reduce its dependence on expensive fuel imports, which currently amount to $14 billion annually. Clean energy can also support new jobs, attract private investment, reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, and create a more sustainable environment for future generations.
The federal government has ambitious clean energy goals, and communities across Wisconsin are taking advantage of federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to replace aging diesel school buses, rebuild bridges and ports, and improve air quality and resiliency. This blog post highlights clean energy investments made in Wisconsin communities through the IIJA and the IRA (see table below). Projects were identified using “The Climate Wins Here map” developed by ActOnClimate. Feel free to use this interactive tool to learn about ongoing clean energy investments in Wisconsin and beyond.
Despite these wins, we must do more to support clean energy deployments in the state. A recent Wisconsin Public Radio report highlights that rural communities are disadvantaged when competing for federal funding. Paradoxically, these rural communities have the greatest needs and opportunities to benefit from federal funding. Whether it is a solar project that reduces coal imports, a new electric school bus that cuts fuel costs, or a microgrid that increases reliability, these projects improve the quality of life for host communities.
In her book “Rural Renaissance, Revitalizing America’s Hometowns through Clean Power” Michelle Moore presents a practical and inspiring guide to creating economic opportunity through clean energy. Moore uses examples from communities across the U.S. leveraging natural resources, cooperative work, and innovation to bring electricity and prosperity to rural America. Today, the clean energy transition provides another opportunity to leverage our abundant resources (sunlight, wind, and land) and federal clean energy investments to create a more prosperous life for all Wisconsinites. It is up to us, and we must seize this opportunity.
In short, federal clean energy legislation has opened up new opportunities for communities in Wisconsin to improve their quality of life. The Climate Wins Here map is a helpful tool for identifying ongoing clean energy investments in the state. We encourage communities to use data, technology, and partnerships to build a cleaner, more sustainable future through clean energy. Feel free to contact RENEW for more information about federal funding for clean energy projects in your community.
Federal Clean Energy Investments in Wisconsin, April 2023
Project
|
Category
|
Agency
|
Funding Amount
|
ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant
|
Clean Energy and Power
|
EPA
|
$429,746
|
ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant
|
Clean Energy and Power
|
EPA
|
$500,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$790,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$3,950,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$4,740,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$ 1,975,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$1,185,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$1,885,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$395,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$30,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$790,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$1,580,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$395,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$2,370,000
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$150,000
|
FTA Bus and Low- and No- Emission Grant Awards
|
Clean Transportation
|
DOT
|
$3,796,872
|
Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
|
Clean Transportation
|
EPA
|
$395,000
|
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation
|
Environmental Resilience/Remediation
|
DOT
|
$201,221
|
Tribal Climate Resilience
|
Environmental Resilience/Remediation
|
DOI
|
$250,000
|
Tribal Climate Resilience
|
Environmental Resilience/Remediation
|
DOI
|
$212,079
|
National Coastal Resilience Fund
|
Environmental Resilience/Remediation
|
NOAA
|
$455,800
|
RAISE 2022 Grant Award
|
Infrastructure
|
DOT
|
$2,952,050
|
Port Infrastructure Development Grant Awards
|
Infrastructure
|
DOT
|
$10,134,800
|
RAISE 2022 Grant Award
|
Infrastructure
|
DOT
|
$5,341,931
|
RAISE 2022 Grant Award
|
Infrastructure
|
DOT
|
$13,476,269
|
|
|
Total
|
$58,380,768
|
