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Frequently Asked Questions
The power from Sandhill Solar will be delivered to the local Wisconsin electric grid, helping to diversify the state’s energy portfolio and increase local energy supply. Power generated by the project will be used by electrically proximate sources of demand. This means that it will serve both local demand, and may be transmitted elsewhere in the system when power is needed.
Sandhill Solar anticipates submitting an application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin in late 2026. The permitting process takes approximately one-year to complete, so we anticipate receiving a decision
by the PSC late 2027. Pending final site plans, construction may begin in 2028-2029 with commercial operations to begin in late 2029.
The site selected for the Sandhill Solar Project is in close proximity to a transmission line, which will transport power to the nearest source of demand. Local landowners have voluntarily leased their ground to host project equipment for the 35-year operational lifespan of the project.
As demand for energy has increased rapidly over the years due to an increase in housing, manufacturing, and other energy intensive developments, projects like Sandhill Solar will help ensure a steady supply of power for the local electric grid. Adding solar and battery energy storage, will help meet the growing demand for power, while ensuring a steady supply of power available to deploy on the grid.
Pursuant to Wis Stat. 70.112(4)(a), power facilities with a production capacity higher than 50 megawatts (MW) are exempt from Wisconsin property tax. However, such facilities must pay an annual license fee to the State of Wisconsin. Pursuant to Wis Stat. 79.04, the State of Wisconsin then makes annual Shared Revenue Utility Payments to the Town and County where the power production facility is located. Based on the utility-shared revenue formula, projects will provide $5,000/MW/year which will be split amongst Barron County and Dallas Township. With anticipated project size of 100 MW, Barron County can expect to receive ~$333,333/year for the life of the project and Dallas Township can expect to receive ~$166,667/year for the life of the project. This two-thirds to the county and one-thirds to the town provide a total of $500,000/year to the great Sandhill Solar Project community. Two-thirds of that annual payment will be dispersed to Barron County, and one-third of that annual payment will be dispersed to Dallas Township.
In addition to the utility-aid formula for solar, Wisconsin recently passed Act 163, providing $1,000/MW/year for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with a similar two-thirds/one-third spilt as solar. With an anticipated BESS size of 50 MW, Barron County can expect to receive ~$33,333/year and Dallas Township can expect to receive ~$166,667/year. Between the solar and BESS utility-aid formulas, the greater Sandhill Solar Project community can expect to receive up to $550,000/year for the life of the project.
Wisconsin has a very thorough, objective process run by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to review applications for large solar photovoltaic projects. Simultaneously, the WDNR reviews the project to ensure that any necessary impacts to wildlife, water, and the environment are minimized, and that all required environmental permits are sought and issued. The permitting process is similar to a judicial hearing, where evidence is entered into a record, and three impartial commissioners at the PSCW review the application for compliance with all Wisconsin laws. The process typically takes about a year from start to finish.
The construction process consists of a variety of different stages – site preparations (ie. Civil work), pre-planting (generally native and pollinator-friendly plant species), and installing solar components (ie. Underground cabling, pilings, racking systems, inverters, substation, and fencing). These stages require a variety of different roles, such as site managers, project managers, engineers, heavy machine operators, general laborers, electricians, and more.
Panels are capable of withstanding harsh weather like torrential rain, heavy snowfall, high winds, and hail. Engineering studies, as well as actual catastrophic events such as hurricanes, have shown that solar farms are able to hold up and continue producing energy. In cases where panels are damaged, solar panels are made of solid materials, which are not soluble in water and therefore will not impact the soil or groundwater. Damaged panels will be replaced and recycled when possible due to panel condition.
No. Sandhill Solar will utilize photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are widely used in solar energy projects today. These panels are manufactured to meet rigorous safety and environmental standards. Solar panels do not pose a risk to public health or safety, and at the end of their lifespan, many components can be recycled as part of responsible decommissioning practices.
The risk of fire in a large-scale solar project is incredibly low. The project contains sensors that are capable of detecting a fire that could be occurring in a specific section of the array. These sensors will immediately notify Operation and Maintenance team members, who then can power off the array. The solar energy facility and its equipment will be operated and monitored to ensure proper safety of the equipment. The Sandhill Solar Project will have a safety and security plan that details fire protection and related education for local fire responders. The project will work with local fire and EMS departments to ensure their thorough understanding of the project’s low fire risk and proper response actions.
Studies show that large-scale solar power facilities economically benefit the community and generally do not decrease residential property resale values following proper design and visual/sound mitigation. Solar is a safe and quiet neighbor. Additionally, the increase in tax revenue generated by the facility typically leads to stronger school funding, levelized taxes, the potential for better roads, stabilized funding for emergency services, and more.
Solar panels are designed to ensure minimal reflection as any reflected light is lost energy; therefore, the panels are designed with anti-reflective coating to absorb the maximum amount of light. Residents are unlikely to experience any glare from solar panels, but if they do it would be weaker glare than from a building's window.
As part of its permitting process, Sandhill Solar will evaluate glint and glare with respect to everyday citizens and visitors. Further, the project will utilize single axis trackers, which allow the panels to track the sun as it moves across the sky and keep the panels perpendicular to the sun, minimizing the potential for glare.
The project will utilize wildlife-friendly fencing which will allow small animals, such as rabbits and reptiles, to go back and forth through the fencing. The project is not being sited on one contiguous square area of fenced ground. Rather, the project will be comprised of several fenced sections of ground connected underground to one another (will be more of a patchwork quilt of sections throughout the total area). Larger animals, such as deer, will be able to traverse and around the fenceline of the project area.
Impacts to local wildlife are expected to be minimal. Project environmental experts have been assessing the project footprint by conducting site-specific studies to understand and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The project will comply with all state and federal regulations associated with wildlife including requirements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Small local wildlife will be able to come and go through wildlife friendly fencing, including rabbits and other small mammals as well as turtles and other small reptiles.
No. Large-scale solar projects must follow strict electrical safety codes governing the design, construction, and operation of any project in Wisconsin. With modern-day underground collection and transmission lines used in the construction of solar farms, stray voltage will not impact neighboring farms. On-site project staff will oversee the day-to-day operations of the solar farm to assure the site continues to follow all applicable codes and regulations. Additionally, Sandhill Solar will comply with any stray voltage testing ordered.
Sandhill Solar will file a plan that specifically addresses runoff both during construction and while the project is operating. In addition, the project will plant deep-rooted native vegetation beneath the solar panels and throughout the project footprint. Establishing native vegetation throughout the array will allow the ground to rest and build nutrient-rich soil. The well-rested, nutrient-filled soil will also help with erosion control and water runoff impacts in, near, and around the solar site.
Solar development and traditional agriculture can co-exist side-by-side, and increasingly are found together. Responsible solar development provides benefits to both agriculture and ecosystems by improving soil health, retaining water, nurturing native species, and supporting native pollinators which support local food production. In addition, solar farms help farmers and landowners diversify their income by providing a reliable, drought-resistant revenue stream. This steady income means that farmers are less vulnerable to fluctuations in market prices on their products, uncertain trade regimes, and volatile annual weather, thus helping farmers stay in business. Additionally, at the end of its useful life the project will be decommissioned, and the land will be available for all future potential uses, including traditional agriculture.
As part of Sandhill Solar Project’s lease agreements with landowners and as required by Wisconsin state regulations, the project will be responsible for the removal of anything [down] to 3 feet below the surface level from leased land at the end of the project’s useful life. The removal of equipment and restoration of the host site is referred to as ‘decommissioning’.
A Decommissioning Plan will be submitted during permitting and updated periodically. This plan will detail the responsibility of the project to remove equipment and return land to a similar state as was present before the project was constructed. As part of the Decommissioning Plan, the project will agree to post a bond or similar financial surety to ensure the funds necessary to decommission are consistently available throughout the life of the project; this bond provides a financial guarantee that the project will bear the cost to decommission the project. The financial assurance will remain in place for the life of the project.
Yes. The Sandhill Solar Project will be located on private land under long term lease arrangements and at the end of the life of the project, the project will be decommissioned, and the land will be available again for farming. This is in stark contrast to other developments, such as commercial or industrial building projects, which often leave land unusable for agriculture again. During construction, native vegetation – often friendly to bees and other pollinators – will be planted. The deep roots of native vegetation retain more water than turf grass during heavy storms and periods of drought. They also retain topsoil and improve soil health over time.
Sandhill Solar will submit a detailed decommissioning plan and financial assurance to cover all decommissioning costs. At the end of the project's operating life (35 years or more), panels will be removed from the site. Because solar panel production only degrades around 0.5% annually and up to 90% of the materials used in solar panels are recyclable, it's common for solar panels to lead a new life after decommissioning, and to ultimately be recycled.
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