County Role in Siting Renewable Energy Projects
When a community invests in renewable energy, both residents and local governments benefit. Besides shared revenue, renewable energy also facilitates reduced nutrient runoff, improved air quality and diversified income for landowners. But this isn’t to say investing in utility scale wind and solar is easy. In fact, at the county level, it can be downright confusing.
We are here to help. We will continue to update this page and provide the resources our members need to navigate Wisconsin’s evolving renewable energy landscape.
In 2019, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers established the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy and tasked it with a number of goals, including achieving 100% carbon-free electricity consumption in the state by 2050.
Industry has also set goals for reducing GHG emissions and expanding renewable energy portfolios. With the cost of solar and wind decreasing dramatically, public and private goals are achievable.
In 2022, 13% of Wisconsin’s electricity was generated from renewable sources. To meet our 100% clean energy goals, we need to increase large scale solar and wind to account for roughly 60% of the energy portfolio.
Learn more about Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 report by RENEW and Clean Wisconsin.
When siting new renewable energy projects, developers look for Ideal conditions with open spaces, relatively flat (solar), and close proximity to transmission lines and distribution centers.
Since it takes approximately 7 acres of land to produce 1 megawatt of solar energy, most of the new energy projects are converted on agricultural land in rural communities.
According to RENEW Wisconsin, the most cost effective way to meet clean energy goals would develop approximately 200,000 acres to solar arrays, or about 1.39% of current agricultural land.
Learn more from the Center For Rural Affairs report, Sifting through Solar: Land-Use Concerns on Prime Farmland
Visit the Public Service Commission webpage to view an interactive map and stay updated on projects across the state, their regulatory and construction status.
Though County conservationists do not have direct regulatory power in siting decisions for large-scale solar and wind projects, they play an important advisory role by offering environmental insights and recommendations to minimize ecological impacts.
Renewable energy projects can offer conservation opportunities like reducing nutrient loading to groundwater and surface water, and by planting pollinator habitat. But also can compete with or create confusion around conservation programs, such as Farmland Preservation Program (click for FAQs).
Key Statues
Wisconsin Statute 196.491
Deals with the regulation of the construction and operation of large electric generating facilities and high-voltage transmission lines. Local governments cannot impose stricter requirements than those set forth by state law or by the PSC for projects covered under this statute. However, local governments still have a role in the planning process.
Wisconsin Statute 59.69
Outlines the powers and duties of county boards related to zoning and land use planning. The statute provides a framework for counties to regulate land development and manage growth. This is the statute that applies to large-scale renewable energy projects under 100 megawatts.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0401
Specific to the regulation of solar and wind energy systems by local governments. The statute aims to promote the development of renewable energy while limiting the ability of local governments to impose overly restrictive regulations.