Apple River Solar Project 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. 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.
  • 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.

Documents

• Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (October 2020)
  
• PSC Environmental Assessment (March 2021)
  
• PSC Final Decision (October 2021​)
  

Case Contacts and Additional Information

• Staff Involved: this tab contains contact details for PSC staff assigned to the docket, including the case coordinator and the​ environmental review coordinator
• Documents: this tab contains a complete list of docket documents categorized by document type

• 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.