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. This along with good paying jobs, the county and towns that host this project will benefit from 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 benefits of the project along with the benefits for farmers, expected emissions reductions, and general health benefits.
- 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.