Solar Classroom
If you want to learn more about how solar photovoltaic (PV) projects operate, this is a good place to start!
PANEL COMPOSITION
Solar panels are solid-state electrical equipment designed for safe, long-term outdoor operation. Modern solar modules are manufactured as sealed, durable panels that do not contain liquids or gases that can leak or spill during normal use. The project will use commercially-proven solar technology that meets applicable industry standards and is designed to withstand decades of exposure to weather, including rain, snow, wind, and temperature changes. At the end of their useful life, project equipment will be managed in accordance with manufacturer requirements and applicable recycling, reuse, and disposal regulations.
Solar PV is a technology used to convert sunlight to electricity. Solar panels are designed and will be used to achieve optimal energy production at the Sandhill Solar Project. Several solar cells are electrically connected and mounted in a support structure or frame that is called a photovoltaic (PV) module. Arrays of Photovoltaic modules at the site will produce direct-current (DC) electricity.
Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity from the solar panel into alternating current (AC) electricity, so it can be added to the utility grid system.
The electricity generated will be collected on-site using underground cables to the project substation. The project substation will aggregate the energy so it can be fed onto the grid and includes a transformer that converts – or “steps up” – the electricity to the same voltage level carried by the grid's transmission lines.
LAND STEWARDSHIP
The Sandhill Solar Project is committed to maintaining and protecting the leased land during the operating life of the project, after which it will be fully decommissioned and will then revert to the owner’s control and be available again for traditional farming. Sandhill Solar will be required by the state and county to provide a detailed decommissioning plan and post a decommissioning bond in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit, escrow account, or other form of financial surety to assure the project is properly removed at the end of life. Our commitment to decommission this project goes beyond a promise made by MN8 but is a legally binding requirement that Sandhill Solar will be held accountable for.
Solar development and traditional agricultural can co-exist side-by-side and are increasingly found together. Responsible solar development provides benefits to both agriculture and local ecosystems by improving soil health over time, increasing biodiversity, retaining water and topsoil with deep-rooted vegetation, and nurturing native pollinators which support local food production.
AGRICULTURE
Wisconsin farmers produce world-class products. As stewards of the land, they understand the need to balance productivity and environmental protection. The Sandhill Solar Project will be built primarily on agricultural land, and while the product produced is not traditionally agricultural, it generates a necessary, renewable product, and continues the tradition of Wisconsin’s agricultural and energy leadership. Clean solar energy is produced without causing air or water pollution and provides a stable revenue stream for farmers and their families, as well as the local community through the Wisconsin Utility Shared Revenue program. At the end of the project’s operating term, the land will be once again available for traditional agriculture.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that it would take only 3.5% of U.S. cropland to meet 100% of all energy demand via solar installations. They anticipate only needing 1-2% of agricultural land in combination with other energy sources. For Wisconsin to utilize 100% solar power, approximately 1.4% of the 14.2 million agricultural acres would be needed to power the entire state with solar energy. However, solar partners well on the local electric grid with other energy sources (ie. Natural gas, wind, battery storage, hydro, and coal), helping to stabilize the supply of power during peak demand, while keeping energy costs low for the consumer.