Overview

The Badger Hollow Solar Farm is a 300 MW solar photovoltaic energy station located in Iowa County in southwestern Wisconsin. The facility is currently operational and was commissioned in 2021. It represents a significant addition to the regional renewable energy infrastructure, serving as a key utility-scale generation asset for the state's power grid.

Ownership of the facility is shared among three major regional utilities: Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS), Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E), and Wisconsin Electric Power Company. Each of these operators holds an equal stake in the project, with each utility owning exactly 100 MW of the total installed capacity. This tripartite ownership structure allows the three companies to leverage shared resources and infrastructure for the development and ongoing management of the solar farm.

The Badger Hollow Solar Farm holds a notable position in the state's energy development timeline. It was the second utility-scale solar plant to be both approved and constructed in Wisconsin. This milestone highlights the growing adoption of large-scale solar photovoltaic technology within the state's energy mix, following the initial approvals that paved the way for subsequent projects. The facility's location in Iowa County places it within a key agricultural and rural region of southwestern Wisconsin, integrating solar generation into the local landscape.

Why it matters

The Badger Hollow Solar Farm holds a distinct position in the regional energy landscape as the second utility-scale solar plant approved and constructed in Wisconsin. Its development marks a tangible shift in the state's generation mix, moving beyond pilot projects to substantial capacity additions. The facility’s 300 MW capacity is not held by a single entity but is shared among three major utilities: Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Madison Gas and Electric, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, with each owning a 100 MW share. This collaborative ownership structure reflects a strategic approach to risk distribution and grid integration for large-scale renewable assets.

Role in Wisconsin’s Energy Transition

The commissioning of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm in 2021 aligns with broader state-level ambitions to decarbonize the electricity sector. Wisconsin has set a goal to achieve a carbon-free energy portfolio by 2050, a target that necessitates the rapid deployment of variable renewable energy sources. The 300 MW output from Badger Hollow contributes directly to this trajectory, displacing fossil-fuel-based generation during peak solar hours. As one of the earliest large-scale solar installations in the state, it serves as a benchmark for subsequent projects, demonstrating the viability of utility-scale photovoltaics in Wisconsin’s specific climatic and grid conditions.

Comparative Lifecycle Emissions

The environmental significance of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm is best understood through its lifecycle emissions profile relative to traditional thermal generators. Solar photovoltaic systems have significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions over their operational lifespan compared to coal and natural gas plants. While coal-fired generation releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, primarily from the combustion of lignite or bituminous coal, solar energy production emits minimal direct CO2, with the majority of lifecycle emissions stemming from manufacturing, installation, and decommissioning. Similarly, while natural gas plants produce fewer emissions than coal, they still contribute significantly to methane leakage and CO2 output. The 300 MW capacity of Badger Hollow therefore represents a meaningful reduction in the carbon intensity of the regional grid, supporting the state’s long-term climate objectives.

History and Development

The development of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm began with a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application filed by Invenergy in 2018 (per project development records). This initial filing marked the start of the regulatory process required for utility-scale solar projects in the state. The Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (PSC) subsequently approved the project in 2019, granting the necessary permissions to proceed with construction and operational planning (according to PSC approval documents). This approval positioned the facility as a significant addition to the regional energy mix, following the regulatory timeline established for large-scale renewable energy integration.

Ownership Structure

Following the regulatory approvals, the ownership structure of the 300 MW facility was divided among three major utility entities. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS), Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E), and Wisconsin Electric Power Company each acquired a 100 MW share of the solar farm (per ownership records). This tripartite ownership model allowed each utility to leverage the shared infrastructure to meet their respective renewable energy targets. The division of capacity ensured that WPS, MG&E, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company could independently manage their portions of the generated solar power, integrating it into their local distribution networks.

Construction and Commissioning

Construction of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm proceeded after the 2019 PSC approval, leading to its commissioning in 2021 (per commissioning data). The facility was built in Iowa County, located in southwestern Wisconsin. Upon completion, it became the second utility-scale solar plant approved and constructed in Wisconsin, marking a milestone in the state's solar energy expansion (according to state energy records). The project's successful development from the 2018 application through the 2021 commissioning demonstrated the growing feasibility of large-scale solar investments in the region, providing a 300 MW capacity addition to the grid.

Technical Specifications

The Badger Hollow Solar Farm operates as a utility-scale solar photovoltaic station with a total installed capacity of 300 MW. Ownership and operational responsibility are divided equally among three utilities: Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Madison Gas and Electric, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company. Each entity holds a 100 MW share of the total generation capacity. It holds the distinction of being the second utility-scale solar plant approved and constructed in the state of Wisconsin.

Technical Configuration

The station utilizes solar photovoltaic technology to convert direct current into alternating current for grid integration. The 300 MW capacity is distributed across the three ownership shares, with each utility managing a 100 MW segment. The facility employs single-axis tracking systems to optimize solar irradiance capture throughout the day. Inverter stations convert the DC output from the photovoltaic arrays into AC power. Step-up transformers increase the voltage level for efficient transmission via collector lines to the main substation. The substation interfaces with the regional transmission grid, facilitating power delivery to consumers in southwestern Wisconsin.

Parameter Value
Total Capacity 300 MW
Technology Solar Photovoltaic
Tracking System Single-axis tracking
Commissioning Year 2021
Location Iowa County, Wisconsin
Operators Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Madison Gas and Electric, Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Ownership Share per Utility 100 MW
Operational Status Operational

The technical design supports the integration of three distinct utility assets into a single geographic footprint. The collector lines aggregate power from the individual inverter stations. The substation serves as the primary point of interconnection for the regional grid. The facility contributes to the renewable energy portfolio of Wisconsin. The 300 MW output represents a significant addition to the state's solar generation capacity. The plant's configuration allows for efficient maintenance and operation by the three co-owning utilities.

What distinguishes Badger Hollow from other Wisconsin solar projects?

The Badger Hollow Solar Farm distinguishes itself within the Wisconsin energy landscape primarily through its unique tripartite ownership structure and its status as a pioneering utility-scale project. Unlike many regional solar installations dominated by a single developer or independent power producer, this facility is jointly owned by three distinct utilities: Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS), Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E), and Wisconsin Electric Power Company. Each entity holds a precise 100 MW share of the total 300 MW capacity, creating a rare model of inter-utility collaboration in the state’s renewable sector. This shared ownership model facilitates resource pooling and risk distribution among the three major Wisconsin utilities, setting a precedent for future collaborative infrastructure projects in the region.

Regulatory and Statutory Context

As the second utility-scale solar plant approved and constructed in Wisconsin, Badger Hollow benefited from and helped shape the early regulatory framework for large-scale photovoltaics in the state. The project’s approval and construction proceeded under specific provisions of Wisconsin law, notably Wisconsin Statute § 1.12 and § 196.025(1). These statutes provided the legal basis for the siting, environmental review, and administrative approvals necessary for a project of this magnitude in Iowa County, located in southwestern Wisconsin. The successful navigation of these regulatory hurdles by Badger Hollow established a procedural template for subsequent solar developments, demonstrating how large-scale solar could be integrated into the state’s statutory planning and environmental review processes.

Geographic and Infrastructure Proximity

While the primary distinction lies in ownership and regulatory history, the farm’s location in Iowa County places it within a growing corridor of renewable energy infrastructure in southwestern Wisconsin. Although specific details regarding the Montfort Wind Farm’s exact proximity are not elaborated in the primary grounding, the region’s emergence as a hub for utility-scale renewables highlights Badger Hollow’s role in a broader geographic concentration of clean energy assets. This clustering supports grid stability and transmission efficiency, reinforcing the strategic value of the 300 MW capacity added to the Wisconsin grid in 2021. The project’s operational status since its 2021 commissioning confirms its successful integration into the state’s energy mix, serving as a benchmark for both technical performance and collaborative utility ownership models.

How does the Badger Hollow Solar Farm contribute to Wisconsin's grid reliability?

The Badger Hollow Solar Farm plays a significant role in addressing Wisconsin’s evolving electrical generation supply concerns, particularly in the context of retiring coal-fired infrastructure. As one of the earliest utility-scale solar projects in the state, its 300 MW capacity provides a substantial block of renewable generation that helps offset the loss of baseload power from traditional thermal plants. The project’s timing, commissioned in 2021, aligns with broader regional efforts to diversify the energy mix and mitigate supply volatility.

Integration with the 138 kV Transmission System

The facility is connected to the regional 138 kV transmission system, a critical voltage level for distributing power across Wisconsin’s grid. This integration allows the solar farm to feed electricity directly into the high-voltage network, ensuring efficient transmission to both local and downstream consumers. The 138 kV connection is particularly important for maintaining grid stability, as it enables the solar output to complement other generation sources, such as natural gas and hydroelectric power, during peak demand periods.

Offsetting Coal-Fired Plant Closures

Wisconsin has seen the gradual retirement of several coal-fired power plants in recent years, driven by both economic and environmental factors. The Badger Hollow Solar Farm helps fill the generation gap left by these closures. With each of the three owning utilities—Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Madison Gas and Electric, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company—controlling a 100 MW share, the project ensures a distributed ownership model that enhances grid reliability across multiple service territories. This shared ownership structure allows for coordinated dispatch and load balancing, reducing the risk of localized supply shortfalls.

Impact on Electrical Generation Supply

The addition of 300 MW of solar capacity contributes to Wisconsin’s overall generation diversity, reducing reliance on single-fuel sources and enhancing resilience against fuel price fluctuations. Solar generation, while variable, provides a predictable output during daylight hours, which often coincide with peak electricity demand. This characteristic makes the Badger Hollow Solar Farm a valuable asset in managing daily load profiles and reducing the need for peaker plants, which are typically more expensive and less efficient.

Furthermore, the project’s location in Iowa County, southwestern Wisconsin, places it in a region with favorable solar irradiance levels, maximizing energy production. The solar farm’s operational status since 2021 has provided consistent data on its performance, helping grid operators refine forecasting models and integrate renewable energy more effectively into the state’s power system.

See also