Scope of the Planned Solar Utility (on the precious Farmlands of Whitewater, Wisconsin)

These details provide you with a quick summary of the actual planned project.   This summarizes the detailed outlined in the July 10 submission of the Engineering Plan for this project.     Here's the link to the actual document that was filed on July 10 2024 with the Public Safety Commission (PSC).  If you want to this out on the PSC website, here's the link to the docket on the Public Safety Commission (PSC).   Understand that this information is the information being provided by the project.   Here's the website of the Whitewater Solar project.  

Summary of the Whitewater Solar Project Engineering Plan

Project Overview:

• Location: Whitewater Solar Project spans approximately 2,052 acres of predominantly agricultural land in Jefferson and Walworth Counties, WI.

• Capacity: The project is designed to generate 180 MW of alternating current (AC) power using an east-west tracking solar panel system.

• Facilities: Includes a 34.5-kV underground collection system connected to a project substation, which will step up the voltage to match the existing nearby We Energies 138-kV University Substation.

Key Components:

• Solar Panels: The system will use panels of 500-700W each, mounted on galvanized steel and/or aluminum racks. The tracking system will allow the panels to follow the sun from east to west.

• Access Roads: A network of access roads (11.35 miles in the primary area and 1.52 miles in the alternate area) will be constructed to facilitate installation, operation, and maintenance of the panels.

• Collection System: The underground collection system will connect the solar panels to inverters that convert DC to AC, which is then transported back to the substation.

• Interconnection: The project will connect to the existing We Energies 138-kV University Substation via a short 138-kV tie line.

Environmental Impacts:

• Land Disturbance: The construction activities will disturb more than one acre of land, and more than 10,000 square feet will be graded or removed within 300 feet of a waterway.

• Wetlands: Foundation piles for the panels may be installed in farmed wetlands. However, no permanent fill is anticipated. Temporary impacts to wetlands and waterways are expected during construction.

• Water Discharge: There will be water discharge from excavations during construction.

• Endangered Species: There is potential for the presence of threatened or endangered species, requiring further review and potential permitting.

Potential Environmental Permits Needed:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE): Clean Water Act Section 404 permit potentially required.

• Wisconsin DNR Permits: Wetland Water Quality Certification, Construction Stormwater, and other related permits.

• Endangered Species: Potential review under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act Section 7.

Schedule:

• Permit Applications: Anticipated submission in Q3 2024.

• Start of Construction: Expected in Q2 2026.

• In-Service Date: Anticipated Q1 2028.