Wisconsin's Solar Future
Solar farms are an important part of the clean energy transition in Wisconsin. Along with taking steps to save energy and installing more rooftop solar, we need to build over 1000 megawatts of solar in Wisconsin every year to reach a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. With solar farms in Wisconsin to date ranging from about 1 to 300 megawatts in size, we’ll need a variety of larger projects to meet that annual need for clean energy.
You can help support stable, long-term income for Wisconsin’s family farms and strengthen our farming communities.
Become part of the conversation
Large solar projects can bring significant changes to an area, like a new visual landscape. They can also bring new opportunities, like increased shared revenue for a local government budget, new jobs, and improved water quality.
When communities are engaged and equipped with accurate information, they have an opportunity to:
- Plan ahead so they are prepared should a developer propose a project in their area.
- Capitalize on these projects to reap as many benefits as possible for their communities.
However, misinformation and hostile opposition prevent many of these community conversations from happening.
Become a trusted resource
We are looking for community members, particularly farmers who are uniquely positioned as respected land stewards and business leaders, to help open the conversation around what large-scale solar could mean in your community. Members will also help inform solar development best practices by sharing their insights and experience.
Connect, share and learn
As a member of the Farmers for Solar community, you will be able to:
- Gain resources and tools to help your community better understand solar impacts, the siting process, and how to engage effectively.
- Share your insights and local perspectives to influence solar development in your community and across the state.
- Gain access to a peer network to learn from other communities across Wisconsin, sharing ideas, best practices, and opportunities for improvement in solar development.
Informational Sign-Up
Sign up to stay up to date on opportunities to learn more about how solar energy can benefit agricultural and rural communities.
Utility Aid Payment FAQs
Utility aid payments are a type of shared revenue provided to local governments that host projects in their communities.
Supporting Solar Webinar
Learn how you can support solar projects in Wisconsin in this webinar hosted by Clean Wisconsin and Renewing the Countryside.
Resources
Farming the Sun: WI Farmers Find a Lifeline in Solar
Episode 27 of The Defender: Wisconsin’s environmental podcast!
It’s no secret, Wisconsin has been rapidly losing its small family farms, and with them, a way of life that’s defined much of our state for more than a century. But there is a lifeline coming.
About 30 miles outside of Lake Geneva, State of Change Host Amy Barrilleaux meets Jay Wendt to take a long walk on a farm that’s been in his wife’s family for decades. These days, the family is joining farmers across Wisconsin who are choosing to lease some of their land for solar.
