200 MW Solar Power Project Completed In Wisconsin, Energy Storage To Follow

Join daily news updates from CleanTechnica on e mail. Or follow us on Google News!

The Grant County Photo voltaic Challenge, with its 200 MW capability, has been accomplished in Potosi, Wisconsin, by Alliant Energy. The brand new solar energy plant has over 430,000 photo voltaic panels on greater than 1,400 acres of land. Virtually 350 acres of native pollinator habitat is included within the complete land space for the venture. Wisconsin has over 2,000 MW of solar energy capability, in response to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Alliant Vitality can be putting in 100 MW/400 MWh of energy storage to go along with the brand new, massive solar energy plant.

Tony Palese, Alliant Vitality spokesperson, answered some questions in regards to the new solar energy plant and upcoming vitality storage venture. David de Leon, president of Alliant Vitality’s Wisconsin vitality firm, additionally answered a query.

How lengthy did it take to put in the 200-megawatt (MW) photo voltaic array in Potosi, Wisconsin, and make it operational?

Building started in September 2022 and accomplished in Might 2024.

What number of workers are wanted to run and preserve it?

We make use of a number of full-time workers to assist function and preserve our utility-scale photo voltaic websites.

What was the approximate venture value?

The Grant County Photo voltaic Challenge had an estimated price range of $250 million.

What are the important thing financial advantages it’ll present?

Building of the venture employed greater than 700 staff. This inflow of jobs helped maximize the native financial good thing about the venture. Moreover, leased land funds will present revenue for native landowners and farmers over the venture’s 30-year lifespan. We count on the location will generate an estimated $30 million in new shared income for the county and city over the lifetime of the venture.

What’s the practically 350 acres of native pollinator habitat? Is it a set of explicit crops utilized by pollinators?

In any respect our utility-scale photo voltaic websites, we plant native grass and seed mixes all through the venture space to assist wildlife habitat and a wholesome setting. The positioning-specific, DNR-approved mixture of grass and seed varieties are tailor-made to particular person website situations to assist construct soil vitamins and entice pollinators akin to bees, butterflies, moths and different helpful wildlife populations. Pollinator-friendly vegetation is confirmed to forestall soil erosion, enhance water high quality, add profit to excessive worth crops and reduce working and upkeep prices. These advantages assist create a extra sustainable, dependable and environmentally pleasant vitality future.

Is the capability of the vitality storage set up that shall be situated there 100 MW/400 MWh?

Sure, that’s appropriate.

What number of houses will the vitality storage facility have the ability to present energy for and for a way lengthy?

The Grant County Battery Challenge will have the ability to retailer sufficient vitality to energy over 100,000 Wisconsin houses for 4 hours.

What are some key advantages that shall be supplied by the vitality storage facility?

“Just like the batteries you’d find in a cell phone, laptop or car, the storage systems we’re developing can deliver energy to power our lives when we need it. As we transition to cleaner, more cost-effective renewable energy, the added capacity and unique capabilities of these energy storage solutions will strengthen our generation portfolio, improve reliability and help meet customer needs. It’s just one more way we’re delivering on our purpose-driven strategy.” – David de Leon, president of Alliant Vitality’s Wisconsin vitality firm.

When will the vitality storage half be accomplished?

Building on the Grant County Battery Challenge is underway and we anticipate the venture being accomplished by Fall 2025.