WHITEWATER — Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission last week approved a new solar panel energy project that will span from northern Walworth County into Jefferson County.
Whitewater Solar plans to construct solar electric generation facilities in the city and town of Whitewater as well as LaGrange Township.
The motion was approved unanimously at the Sept. 25 meeting of the PSC. WATCH
Although the project is supported by Clean Wisconsin as a renewable energy project and for its economic benefits, local residents have expressed concerns over its proximity to the Kettle Moraine.
According to project plans, panels would be constructed on either side of Highway 12, between the Kettle Moraine State Forest and city of Whitewater. (MAP)
Whitewater Solar, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments.
The project that will produce enough energy to power more than 20,000 homes will take up approximately 2,567 acres in both Walworth and Jefferson counties, of which, the proposed project arrays make up 988 acres.
The major components of the proposed project include PV panels, inverters, approximately 69.8 miles of underground 34.5 kilovolt (kV) collector circuits, a 138kV project substation, an approximately 0.14-mile 138 kV gen-tie transmission line to connect to the project substation, access roads and an operation and maintenance building.
The proposed project includes 23 fenced array areas, with 17 proposed array area sites and six alternative array area sites.
Construction is expected to begin in April 2026 with an estimated completion date of February 2028.
