Paris Solar Project | PSC Docket ID: 9801-CE-100

• Overview: Paris Solar Farm, LLC (Paris Solar) is proposing a (PV) solar electric generating facility capable of generating approximately 200 MW of AC power, in the Town of Paris, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The proposed project area covers approximately 5,350 acres (8.36 square miles) in which approximately 1,500 acres would be developed to host the proposed solar facilities. The major components of the proposed project include PV panels, power conversion units, inverters, approximately 32 miles of underground 34.5 kilovolt (kV) collector circuits, a new 138kV position at the Paris 138kV substation, a new 345kV substation adjacent to the existing Paris Substation, a new approximately 0.1-mile (approximately 530 feet in length and 100-feet in width) 138kV Gen-Tie line, new large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), and a permanent operation and maintenance building. The proposed project includes eighteen fenced primary and alternative solar panel array areas that can be identified by their fence boundary identification number, as seen in the attached map. At this time the applicants state that no Wisconsin utilities are under contract for delivery of energy from the proposed project.

• Applicant stated need: This project is proposed by an independent power producer, Paris Solar Farm, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Invenergy LLC. As such, the need for the project is not reviewed by the Commission. Paris Solar has stated that they intend to either; sell the electrical output of the project to customers pursuant to one or more agreements, or alternatively, they will sell some or all of the project to one or more Wisconsinpublic utilities, with Paris Solar remaining as the builder and operator of the project.

• 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 Town of Paris in Kenosha County, Wisconsin (see map).

• Proposed schedule:
  • The application was submitted to the Commission on February 28, 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 the fall of 2020.
  
  
  • If approved, the proposed construction schedule for this project is to begin in July, 2021. The project is proposed to be completed and in service by May, 2023.
    

As documents become available, hyperlinks will be added. Additionally, you can view all documents filed in this docket on Commission's Case Management System (CMS) page under dockets 9801-CE-100

• Application for CPCN (February 2020)

Public Comments can be provided in person, in writing, or via the Commission's website using the comment feature during several periods during the project review.

Environmental Assessment public scoping meetings (date and times have not yet been confirmed) will be held in an open house format (not a formal presentation). Staff from the Commission and DNR will have copies of the application materials and maps for the public to review. Staff can answer questions about the review process and the application. People are encouraged to attend and provide comments about the project and its environmental impacts. Those comments will be used by staff during the analysis of the project.

Additional opportunities for public participation include the opportunity to comment on the environmental assessment of the project, and the public hearing comment period. Notifications for these comment periods will be sent to the mailing list for this project, and you can be added to this mailing list by contacting the PSC Case Coordinator for this project listed below under project contacts.

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 of the EA available to those persons that request it.

• Dan Grant, PSC Docket Coordinator: 608 267-1473, email: Daniel.Grant@wisconsin.gov

• Cindy Burtley, PSC Environmental Review Coordinator: 608 267-6718, email: Cindy.Burtley@wisconsin.gov