Final Decision Issued on Reopening
In October 2021 the Commission issued a final decision for this project. In September of 2022, the case was reopened to consider a request by the applicant to install an additional 100 MW of battery storage capacity.
In June of 2023, the Commission issued a Final Decision on Reopening, thereby amending the original Order to include authorization to install the requested additional battery storage capacity.
Quarterly construction updates and post decision correspondence between the Commission and the Applicant can be found in the corresponding docket reports.
Docket Reports: 9808-CE-100
Towns of Clayton, Beaver, Apple River, and Lincoln, in Polk County
Docket ID: 9808-CE-100
Apple River Solar, LLC is proposing a 100 megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar electric generation facility. The project would be located on approximately 1,251 acres (1.95 square miles) of primarily agricultural land, in the Towns of Clayton, Beaver, Apple River, and Lincoln, in Polk County, in which approximately 702 acres (1.09 square miles) would be developed to host the proposed solar facilities.
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Application Summary
Overview: Apple River Solar, LLC is proposing a 100 megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar electric generation facility. The project would be located on approximately 1,251 acres (1.95 square miles) of primarily agricultural land, in the Towns of Clayton, Beaver, Apple River, and Lincoln, in Polk County, in which approximately 702 acres (1.09 square miles) would be developed to host the proposed solar facilities. The major components of the project would include PV panels, power conversion units (which include an inverter and transformer), approximately 10 miles of 34.5 kilovolt (kV) underground collector circuits, a collector substation, and a new approximately 739-foot 161 kV generation transmission tie-line. The solar arrays and substation would be fenced, and the applicant has provided 185.3 acres (0.29 square miles) of alternative solar array sites for evaluation and use if needed.
Applicant stated need: This project is proposed by an independent power producer, Apple River Solar, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid Renewables. As such, the need for the project is not reviewed by the Commission. Apple River Solar has stated that they intend to either; own and operate the project or develop and sell the project to a utility or independent power producer.
Estimated cost: This project is proposed by an independent power producer, and the Commission does not review the project cost or need. The cost to Wisconsin utilities, and ratepayers, would be reviewed when the power from the facility is purchased by Wisconsin utilities.
Location (see map): The Towns of Clayton, Beaver, Apple River, and Lincoln, in Polk County.
Proposed schedule:
- The application was submitted to the Commission on October 23, 2020.
- The proposed construction for this project is anticipated to begin in October, 2021 with an estimated be completion date of November 2022.
Statutory Review
The solar electric generation facility is a
Type 3 action under
Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10(3). Type III actions normally do not require preparation of an EA or an environmental impact statement (EIS) under Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10(3). However, an evaluation of a specific Type III proposal may indicate that the preparation of an EA is warranted for that proposal. The Commission will prepare an 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 EIS 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 ofthe EA available to those persons that request it.
Key Application Documents
Access Docket 9808-CE-100 in the PSC Case Management System to view additional information.
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Access Docket 9808-CE-100
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