About the project


The Beaver Dam Solar Project is an estimated 50-megawatt (MW) solar project located in Dodge County, Wisconsin. The Beaver Dam Solar Project connects into the electrical transmission grid directly through the local substation. The project positively impacts the environment and will generate enough clean, low-cost energy to power thousands of homes.

Fast facts

  • Location: City of Beaver Dam, Town of Beaver Dam, Town of Burnett
  • Acreage: 379 acres
  • Timeline: Construction was completed in December 2023.


"RENEW Wisconsin wholeheartedly supports Public Service Commission approval of the Alliant Energy’s application to acquire, construct, own, and operate the Beaver Dam Solar Project. Not only would Alliant Energy’s proposed power plants generate electricity from a noncombustible renewable resource, consistent with Wisconsin’s Energy Priorities Law, these solar projects would do so at the scale needed to achieve deep carbon reductions."

Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin Policy Director

Hear from more of our project supporters

Project updates


March 1, 2024

We're excited to announce that we placed the Beaver Dam Solar Project into service in December! This final construction update highlights the work needed to get the project to the finish line as well as some of the local benefits we expect this project to bring for the next 30 years. Read further in our latest project update..pdf

Thank you for your interest in the Beaver Dam Solar Project!

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Environmental benefits


  • This project will feature grass and seed mixes surrounding the solar panels and throughout the solar arrays that will help build soil nutrients and create a pollinator-friendly habitat. Pollinator-friendly vegetation has been proven to prevent soil erosion and add benefit to high-value crops, creating a win-win for both human and wildlife communities.
  • Once the grass matures in four years following construction, the water quality of surrounding waterbodies is expected to improve because of reduced nitrogen (4,000 pounds/year), phosphorus (1,000 pounds/year), sediment (200 tons/year) and biological oxygen demand (1,200 pounds/year) entering these waterbodies. This improves the ecological health of the watershed and the quality of life for all inhabitants, as high loadings of these pollutants can produce excess algae growth and degrade the habitat in adjacent waterbodies.
  • Requiring only sunlight for fuel, the Beaver Dam Solar Project represents a long-term reduction of traditional fossil fuels for energy generation, creating a clean environment and clean energy future for Wisconsin and the Midwest.

Economic benefits


  • The Beaver Dam Solar Project will be a significant source of new local tax revenue, providing approximately $200,000 in annual shared revenue for the City of Beaver Dam, Town of Beaver Dam, Town of Burnett and Dodge County.
  • During construction, between 100 and 200 local union jobs will be created. This Midwest Economic Policy Study describes the benefits of using local union labor at little to no additional cost to customers.
  • Once operational, a few full-time employees will help ensure the project is running smoothly.
  • Alliant Energy will provide lease payments to landowners in the project area for the 30-year lifespan of the project.
  • In addition, soil recovery during the project’s lifespan will protect agricultural land and preserve its value for future generations.

Solar and the Clean Energy Blueprint


The Beaver Dam Solar Project is one of the 12 solar projects Alliant Energy has received approval to own and operate in Wisconsin. The projects span dozens of communities across nine counties. Collectively, these projects will add nearly 1,100 MW of solar energy generation to the state’s energy grid by the end of 2023 – enough to power nearly 300,000 homes.

These projects demonstrate our commitment to advancing clean energy and strengthening the communities we serve. They create an economic boost for communities and landowners while providing customers with reliable, environmentally friendly energy for decades to come.

Collectively, our solar projects, along with the rest of our Clean Energy Blueprint, are also a smart investment that will help customers avoid more than $1.6 billion in long-term costs. They will also provide 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.

As we move toward creating a healthier environment, these initiatives are positioning Alliant Energy to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity we generate by 2050.

More details on our Clean Energy Blueprint

Additional news coverage


Beaver Dam Solar Project gets green light to begin construction
(Alliant Energy news release, June 14, 2022)

Lifelong conservative farmer sold on economic benefits of solar
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 19, 2022)

Area farmer offers seeds of wisdom: Renewables are ag's latest phase
(Beaver Dam Daily Citizen, Jan. 5, 2022)

Alliant Energy proposes Dodge County solar farm 
(Daily Citizen, April 5, 2021) 

Alliant Solar Farms Coming to Dodge County, Beaver Dam 
(Daily Dodge, April 1, 2021) 

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