Alliant Energy to install a 1 MW solar facility in Sheboygan under its Customer Hosted Renewables Program

Alliant Energy and the city of Sheboygan have reached an agreement to install a 1 MW solar facility in the Sheboygan Business Center.

“We are excited to partner with the city of Sheboygan utilizing our Customer Hosted Renewables Program,” said Ben Lipari, Director of Resource Development at Alliant Energy. “This project is a win-win, benefiting both the local Sheboygan economy and environment for many years to come. It represents our vision of providing a clean energy future for our customers and the communities we serve.”

By adding the customer hosted solar facility, the city of Sheboygan will gain steady revenue in the form of leased land payments for the next 25 years. Moreover, the promotion of renewable energy is expected to attract new businesses to the area, especially companies looking to achieve their environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals.

“The City of Sheboygan is excited to host the first solar facility in the Sheboygan Business Center. Sheboygan’s sustainability goals and plans have included solar projects for some time, and it is a win for the city to see this renewable project in our community,” said Chad Pelishek, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Sheboygan.

The solar facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2021. According to Alliant Energy, the Customer Hosted Renewables Program enables customers with extra land to host solar facilities and receive annual lease payments. It is part of the company’s Clean Energy Vision, advancing toward the aspirational goal to attain net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity it generates by 2050.

In 2020, Alliant Energy announced plans to acquire Onion River Solar, a 150 MW solar plant in Sheboygan County, expected to be completed in late 2022. Once operational, it will generate enough energy to power approximately 25,000 homes. Onion River Solar plant will help offset the energy previously generated by coal-fired Edgewater Generating Station. Alliant Energy had also announced plans to retire the coal-fired Edgewater Generating Station in 2022.