MADISON, WI (April 25, 2023) – Rock County and Alliant Energy have announced their partnership on two solar projects to be established on a nearly 22-acre site. The plan includes constructing a 2.25-megawatt (MW) community solar garden alongside a 1.4-MW customer-hosted project in Janesville, Wisconsin.
The proposed project will mark Alliant Energy’s second community solar garden in Wisconsin and third overall. After the success of the company’s first community solar garden in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the next opportunity to bring community solar to the state is a direct response to customer requests for additional access to renewable energy.
The solar blocks are now available for subscription for $337 each. Businesses interested in demonstrating leadership and commitment to sustainable practices in the community are invited to become anchor tenants.
“We are thankful to Rock County for its interest in helping us launch this exciting project where our Wisconsin customers can receive the benefits of clean, renewable energy,” said David de Leon, president of Alliant Energy's Wisconsin energy company. “We anticipate blocks will be sold quickly given the level of interest we’ve gathered and the number of customers already on the waitlist. The Community Solar program is just one more way we can use our knowledge and resources to serve our customers while bringing them options and solutions to meet their needs.”
The solar garden will be located east of the Rock Haven Assisted Living facility on county-owned property. At maximum output the community solar garden could power up to 1,800 homes annually.
The Janesville-based garden is part of the Alliant Energy® Community Solar program, which allows the company’s electric customers to benefit from solar power without installing solar panels on their property. Subscribers receive monthly credits on their electric bill for every solar block purchased. Credits will begin once the garden is operational and continue for the 20-year life of the project. The garden will consist of 9,000 solar blocks, and each 250-watt block will produce an estimated average of 441 kilowatts annually.
Solar blocks can also be purchased for other Alliant Energy electric customers or donated to the Hometown Care Energy Fund. The gift helps family, friends, neighbors or nonprofit organizations receive 20 years of solar credits.
Alliant Energy’s first community solar garden, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, became operational January 2022. The second, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is expected to become operational in early 2024.
For more information, to subscribe or donate, visit alliantenergy.com/communitysolar.
Rock County customer-hosted solar project
Rock County has also entered into a lease agreement with Alliant Energy to develop an Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables solar project on 10 acres adjacent to the Janesville Community Solar Garden.
“Our partnership with Alliant Energy to develop a 1.4-megawatt solar energy system demonstrates our commitment to renewable, clean energy generation,” said Brent Sutherland, Director of Facilities Management in Rock County. “This solar project is a win for residents of Rock County because we can offset some of our greenhouse gas emissions without having to make costly upgrades to our facilities.”
Once operational, Rock County will receive annual fixed lease payments for 20 years. The project is part of the Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables program, which enables customers with available land to host solar facilities, receive lease payments and get renewable energy credits.
“We are excited to be working with Rock County toward achieving a more sustainable future,” said Coleman Peiffer, manager of customer and community development for Alliant Energy. “The project aligns with our purpose to strengthen communities. It also provides the opportunity to enhance community exposure to renewables while showcasing how renewables can integrate with community planning and development.”
Alliant Energy will design, construct, own, operate and maintain both solar projects. Construction will begin this fall, with estimated completion by the end of 2024. The timeline is contingent on design, permitting and equipment availability.
The Janesville community solar garden and the Rock County customer-hosted solar project are important milestones in Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint, the company's roadmap to accelerate its transition to renewable energy. It puts the company on a path to achieve its Clean Energy Vision, which includes a goal to attain net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 2050.
About Rock County Facilities Management
Rock County Facilities Management provides cost-effective and energy-efficient enhancements to County departments, facilities and surrounding grounds. It strives to provide a safe, secure, clean and healthy work environment for courthouse employees and the general visiting public. The Department also assists in coordinating major construction and renovation projects.
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.