Solar energy is an important part of the clean energy transition in Wisconsin — between rooftop solar panels and utility-scale solar farms, Wisconsin has an opportunity to finally move away from fossil fuels with this cheap and reliable energy source. In addition to providing a reliable source of clean energy, solar farms sited on agricultural land can help restore soil health, provide habitats for native pollinators and improve water quality by reducing sediment and phosphorus runoff into nearby waters.
Solar energy can provide benefits far beyond climate change mitigation. In many cases, solar development offers additional benefits to the people and places hosting the project. These co-benefits include increased tax base, groundwater protection, increased landowner return, and habitat restoration. By focusing on the needs of the people, community, and environment around the solar project, the local benefits alone can be reason enough to support utility-scale solar.
Under state law, local governments hosting any utility-owned solar project or a developer-owned solar project over 50 megawatts (MW) receive $5,000 per megawatt every year from the state’s utility aid fund. That money can help small communities meet urgent needs like investing in school buildings, repairing roads, and buying emergency response equipment.
Utility-scale solar developments offer benefits to both agriculture and ecosystems by improving soil health, retaining water, nurturing native species, and supporting native pollinators, which in turn support local food production. Solar farms can also help farmers and landowners diversify their income by providing a reliable, drought-resistant revenue stream. This steady income means that farmers are less vulnerable to fluctuations in market prices, uncertain trade regimes, and changing weather patterns, helping farmers stay in business.
Solar facilities that are sited properly and vegetated with perennial grassland can reduce water containing nitrate and phosphorus pollution from traditional agricultural practices by not requiring nutrient application and greatly reducing soil erosion. This reduced erosion and runoff contributes to improved local water quality. Additional environmental benefits from replacing the row cropped fields include enhanced pollinator habitat and increased soil carbon sequestration.
Each new solar farm helps displace the need for fossil fuel generation. With less air pollution from dirty fossil fuels, Wisconsinites will have cleaner air to breathe, meaning they’re less vulnerable to heart attacks, asthma exacerbation, and more.
