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Local government

Wisconsin's Renewable Energy Goals: Porchlight Solar Project Spells Out Benefits

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has submitted a regulatory update considering the application of the Porchlight Solar Project, a 163.8 MW solar project paired with a 50 MW battery system. The project, aimed for completion in the latter half of 2028, is expected to create numerous benefits, including emissions reductions, utility aid payments to local governments, and economic development in the form of jobs and stimulus.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Porchlight Solar Project is expected to create 200-300 construction jobs during the development phase and several long-term jobs for project maintenance.
  • Over the course of the project's life, the project will generate more than $24 million in tax revenue for the host county and towns.
  • The project will reduce CO2 emissions by 244,316 metric tons in the first year of energy production, with a total reduction of emissions over the life of the project resulting in a direct, positive economic impact of more than $32 million.
  • The project will create health and environmental benefits for the state through the reduction of non-greenhouse gases (non-GHG) such as particulate matter (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), which would otherwise be released by fossil fuel generators.
  • Wisconsin's goal is to source all electric generation from zero-carbon-emitting resources by 2050, with the Porchlight Solar project being part of the ongoing build-out of renewable resources in the state.
  • The state will need over 37,000 MW of solar PV generating capacity, with about 28,300 MW of this total located within the state of Wisconsin, to meet decarbonization goals by 2050.

Statistics:

  • 163.8 MW: Capacity of the Porchlight Solar Project
  • 50 MW: Capacity of the battery energy storage system (BESS) paired with the solar project
  • 1,094.7 acres: Land area required for the project
  • 200-300: Number of construction jobs created during the development phase
  • 24 million: Tax revenue generated over the life of the project for the host county and towns
  • 244,316 metric tons: CO2 emissions reduction in the first year of energy production
  • 32 million: Direct, positive economic impact of the emissions reduction over the life of the project
  • 37,000 MW: Total solar PV generating capacity needed to serve Wisconsin's load needs by 2050
  • 28,300 MW: In-state solar PV generating capacity needed by 2050
  • 21,000 MW: Total wind generating capacity needed by 2050
  • 7,000 MW: Total storage capacity needed by 2050
  • 7,000 MW: Total clean gas generating capacity needed by 2050

Sources:

  • RENEW Wisconsin report, "The Benefits of Porchlight Solar"
  • Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, regulatory update on the Porchlight Solar Project
  • Wisconsin Zero Carbon Study, "Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050: Summary Report"
  • https://apps.psc.wi.gov (Porchlight Solar Project document)

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