Final Decision Issued
On July 10, 2023, the Commission issued a final decision for this project. At the time of final decision, the anticipated start date of construction was the Summer of 2024 with completion by the December of 2025.
Quarterly construction updates and post decision correspondence between the Commission and the Applicant can be found in the corresponding docket reports.
Docket Reports: 9814-CE-100
Towns of Leeds, Lowville, Arlington, and Hampden, Columbia County, Wisconsin
Docket ID: 9814-CE-100
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity of High Noon Solar Energy LLC to Construct a Solar Electric Generation Facility in the Town of Leeds, Town of Lowville, Town of Arlington, and Town of Hampden, Columbia County, Wisconsin.
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Application Summary
Overview
High Noon Solar Energy LLC, an affiliate of Invenergy LLC, is seeking approval to construct a solar energy generating facility with a generating capacity of 300 MWac (megawatt alternating current) plus a 165 MW/660 MWh (megawatt hour) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The entire project area that was evaluated is approximately 4,327 acres, of which, proposed arrays make up 1,928 acres, alternative arrays make up 847 acres, and an additional 129 acres are needed to host the BESS. Project components include solar panels, power conversion units, inverters, underground collector circuits and a 1.9-mile 345 kV high voltage gen-tie line.
Applicant stated need
This project is proposed by an independent power producer High Noon Solar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Invenergy Solar Development North America LLC. As such, the need for the project is not reviewed by the Commission.
Estimated cost
This project is proposed by an independent power producer, and the Commission does not review the project cost. The cost to Wisconsin utilities, and ratepayers, would be reviewed when the power from the facility is purchased by Wisconsin utilities.
Project location
The Towns of Leeds, Lowville, Arlington, and Hampden, in Columbia County, Wisconsin.
Proposed schedule
- The application was submitted to the Commission in July of 2022.
- If approved, the anticipated construction schedule for this project would begin in May of 2024. The project is proposed to be completed and in service by December of 2025.
Statutory Review
The solar electric generation facility is a
Type III action under
Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10(3). The battery energy storage system (BESS) is a
Type II action under
Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10(2). The Commission will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project that will evaluate the location of the project and its potential environmental, community, and private property impacts. There will be a preliminary determination when the EA is complete that will determine whether the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is necessary. Comments on this preliminary determination will be accepted and considered before a final determination is made. At the time of the preliminary determination, the Commission shall make copies of the EA available to those persons that request it.
Key Application Documents
Access Docket 9814-CE-100 in the PSC Case Management System to view additional information.
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Access Docket 9814-CE-100
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