“It has been a pleasure working with National Grid Renewables throughout the development phase of this project,” stated Ben Lipari, director of project development and customer solutions at Alliant Energy. “Now, as we turn our focus toward construction, we are excited to build upon the positive relationships they developed with local landowners and officials within the town and county. This is a smart investment for our customers. It also creates local jobs and is a critical part of our sustainable path forward.”
Alliant Energy is contracting with Burns & McDonnell to construct the project. Civil work is expected to begin the week of August 2. This work is the foundation of the solar field and creates a level area for panel installation later this year. During this phase, which will take a few months, workers will grade, seed, fence, construct retainage ponds and install service roads to deliver materials and equipment.
Construction will create about 200 jobs. Once operational, the 50 MW project will generate enough electricity to power approximately 12,000 Wisconsin homes. The community and county will receive a combined, estimated $200,000 in annual shared revenues for the next 30 years, to be used as determined by local communities and government officials.
“North Rock Solar will provide significant economic impacts to the citizens of Rock County and the state of Wisconsin,” stated David Reamer, head of US onshore renewables development for National Grid Renewables. “We want to thank the North Rock community for their support throughout the project development and permitting process, and we applaud Alliant Energy as they bring North Rock into construction, which will create jobs, tax revenue and landowner income that will benefit local and state economies.”
In addition to constructing the North Rock solar project, Alliant Energy has contracted Burns & McDonnell to construct the Bear Creek Solar Project and Wood County Solar Projects. For more information, visit Alliant Energy’s solar webpage.
Background:
In May 2020, Alliant Energy introduced its plan to construct six large-scale solar projects in Wisconsin. Then, in March 2021, the company announced plans to build six more projects – making Alliant Energy the largest owner and operator of solar energy in the state of Wisconsin. According to the company, it’s part of the “Clean Energy Blueprint,” an outline of their acceleration and transition to clean energy.
In total, Alliant Energy has proposed 12 solar projects planned for nine Wisconsin counties. Collectively, they will add nearly 1,100 MW of solar energy generation to the state’s energy grid – enough to power nearly 300,000 homes. Along with the rest of the “Clean Energy Blueprint,” these projects will help customers avoid more than $2 billion in long-term costs. They’ll also deliver steady revenue through new construction opportunities, create an estimated 2,000 construction jobs, and provide approximately $300 million in revenues to local communities and landowners over an estimated project lifespan of 30 years.
At a time when much is changing, Alliant Energy notes, these projects demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing clean energy and strengthening the communities they serve. In addition, Alliant Energy says that this investment in solar will provide customers with reliable, environmentally friendly energy long into the future.
With increasing sustainability expectations from customers and businesses, the time is now to transition to more renewable energy generation. Alliant Energy promises to increase and expand its sustainable practices, cost-effectively accelerate renewable energy generation and reduce carbon emissions.
Solar generating projects are virtually noiseless. They generate zero emissions, odors or harmful byproducts. During operation, planted prairie grasses and pollinators will create a hospitable environment for pollinating insects and birds. When the project reaches the end of its useful life (approximately 30 years), per regulatory agreement, Alliant Energy will remove the equipment and restore the land so it can be used as desired, including for agriculture.
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.