Fond du Lac To Be Home To First Community Solar Project In The State

The first community solar project in Wisconsin is being launched by Alliant Energy, and it will be located near Fond du Lac.  The solar garden will be located near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, along the south side of state Highway 151, just to the west of the intersection with Hickory Road. Ben Lapari, Director of Resource Development at Alliant Energy, says Fond du Lac was an ideal location.

Alliant will be partnering with Michels Corporation on the project,  and expects to start construction on the 1-megawatt community solar project in the spring and complete it by the end of 2021. 

Alliant Energy’s Community Solar program provides an opportunity for customers to share the benefits of solar power without having to install solar panels on their property. They receive a credit on their monthly electric bills for every block of energy purchased. The credits begin once the facility is in service and will last for 20 years. Participants will realize cost savings over the life of the solar facility.

“We appreciate the partnership we have with Alliant Energy and their commitment to bringing a clean energy project to Fond du Lac County,’ said Allen Buechel, Fond du Lac County Executive. “Having a community solar project for our residents and business owners to participate in will be a benefit to the environment and our local economy.”

The solar project will be built on land leased from Michels Corporation, an industry-leading utility contractor headquartered in nearby Brownsville.

The planned Fond du Lac solar garden is the first of what is expected to be multiple community solar locations across Iowa and Wisconsin for Alliant Energy. The Fond du Lac location has been in the works for several months, and the community is looking forward to the project being put into service.

“Our Fond du Lac area electric customers have expressed a strong interest in participating,” said Kathy Leifer, Alliant Energy Senior Key Account Manager for the Fond du Lac area. “We have been informally discussing it with customers, and there is a lot of energy and excitement among homeowners and business owners to become involved.” 

Enrollment is now open for Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin electric customers to participate on a first-come, first-served basis in the Fond du Lac community solar project. To sign up and for more information, visit alliantenergy.com/communitysolar.