Solar power in Wisconsin

Solar power in Wisconsin on rooftops is estimated to be able to provide 40.1% of the electricity used in Wisconsin, using 23,600 MW of solar panels.^[1] Net metering is available for systems up to at least 20 kW, and excess generation is credited at retail rate to customers' next bill. Some utilities allow net metering up to 100 kW. For Xcel customers, kilowatt credits are rolled over monthly and are reconciled annually at avoided cost.^[2] Best practices recommend no limits, either individually or aggregate, and perpetual rollover of kilowatt credits.^[3]

Solar-powered road sign

Average solar insolation

A 2016 estimate indicates that a typical 5 kW solar array installed in Wisconsin will pay for itself in 13 years, and go on to provide an additional profit of $18,860 during its 25-year life.^[4] Wisconsin's renewable portfolio standard requires 10% renewable sources for electricity by 2015.^[5]

Implications

In 2007, Wisconsin's largest solar array was the 44.4 kW array on the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee.^{[6][self-published source?]}

In 2011, the largest array was the 360 kW parking lot array in Verona owned by Epic,^[7] which is being expanded to 2.2 MW. A 3.177 MW array is planned for a distribution center in Oconomowoc.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2016, the 2.3 MW Rock River solar project near Beloit became the largest solar farm in the state.^[8]

The KI convention center located in Green Bay currently (as of 2013) has the largest solar PV installation in Northeastern Wisconsin. The new 115-kilowatt array comprises 480 PV solar panels.^[9]

As of May 2014, there are about 2,250 homes powered by solar energy in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin ranks 24th in the nation for the number of solar jobs. Between 2012 and 2014, the state added 800 jobs in the solar industry.^[10]

Water treatment facilities

In Superior, Wisconsin, the city's wastewater treatment plant has installed four So-larBee units to provide adequate aeration without the use of the city's 75-hp units. After this installation, the 75-hp blower units can be completely shut off during no-flow periods. As a result, the city of Superior saved $18,000 per month.^[11]

Statistics

Wisconsin photovoltaics capacity (MWp)[12][13][14][15][16][17] Year Capacity Installed  % Change 2007 1.4 0.6 75% 2008 3.1 1.7 121% 2009 5.3 2.1 71% 2010 8.7 3.5 64% 2011 12.9 4.2 48% 2012 21.1 8.2 64% 2013 22.5 1.4 7% 2014 20 2 11% 2015 25 5 25% 2016 30 5 20% 2017 150.2 120.2 400% 2018 165.2 15 9% 2019 209.2 44 26% 2020 442 232.8 111% 2021 837 395  % 2022 1,205 368  %

Source: NREL[18]

Utility-scale solar generation in Wisconsin (GWh)^[19]

Year	Total	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2017	21	0	1	1	1	2	3	3	3	3	2	1	1
2018	39	2	1	4	4	5	5	5	4	4	3	1	1
2019	37	1	2	3	3	3	4	5	4	4	4	2	2
2020	96	4	5	6	8	9	8	10	9	7	6	14	10
2021	391	11	22	27	29	40	43	44	41	49	33	32	20
2022	147	38	47	62

See also

• Wind power in Wisconsin
• Solar power in the United States
• Renewable energy in the United States

References

1. "Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Technical Potential in the United States: A Detailed Assessment" (PDF). nrel.gov. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
2. "Net Metering". dsireusa.org. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
3. "Net Metering Model Rules" (PDF). irecusa.org. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
4. "2018 Guide to Wisconsin Home Solar Incentives, Rebates, and Tax Credits". solarpowerrocks.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
5. "DSIRE". programs.dsireusa.org. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
6. "Largest Wisconsin Solar Array to be Dedicated February 10". madisonpeakoil-blog.blogspot.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
7. Ferolie, Jim (18 December 2011). "Epic's half-built solar field is biggest in the state". The Verona Press (Unified Newspaper Group). Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
8. "Wisconsin's largest solar project delivering power to Alliant Energy customers" (Press release). Alliant Energy. 18 July 2016.
9. "KI Installs Largest Solar Energy Array In Northeast Wisconsin" (Press release). KI. 16 January 2013. ProQuest 1269689657.
10. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
11. Green Grocer Update Archived 2012-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
12. Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
13. Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
14. Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
15. Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
16. Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2014-09-26.
17. "Wisconsin Solar". seia.org. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
18. "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
19. "Electricity Data Browser". U.S. Department of Energy. March 28, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

External links

• Renewable energy policies and incentives