Apple River Solar Project

• 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.


• 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.


• Project Location: The Towns of Clayton, Beaver, Apple River, and Lincoln, in Polk County (see map).


• Proposed schedule:
  • The application was submitted to the Commission on October 23, 2020.
  • The Commission is reviewing the project, with no firm schedule as to a decision date at this time. The environmental analysis will occur over the next several months and a Commission decision may occur in summer of 2021.
  • If approved, the proposed construction schedule for this project is to begin in October, 2021. The project is proposed to be completed and in service by November 2022.

• Application for CPCN (October 2020)
  

Opportunities for public involvement will be posted here as they become available.

For more information on becoming involved in the Commission review of construction cases, please visit our public participation page, or call one of the Project contacts listed below.

• Interactive Web Map of Project (external link)
• Project overview map (.pdf)

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.

• Bert Chee, PSC Docket Coordinator: 608 266-3900, email:bert.chee@wisconsin.gov
  

• Tyler Tomaszewski, PSC Environmental Review Coordinator: 608 266-2730, email: tyler.tomaszewski@wisconsin.gov