GINO RECCHIA HAS THE STORY FROM THE VILLAGE OF COBB. IN IOWA COUNTY. ABOUT AN HOUR WEST OF MADISON SITS 2000 ACRES, HOME TO THE LARGEST SOLAR FARM IN WISCONSIN. BADGER HOLLOW WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY. WE ENERGY SPOKESMAN BRENDAN CONWAY TELLS US IT’S A MONUMENTAL STEP TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE. IT’S REALLY GREAT TO BE HERE EVERY TIME BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, THE SITE HAD BEEN GROWING FOR MANY YEARS, SO IT WAS COOL TO SEE IT NOW THAT IT’S FINALLY BEEN BUILT. MORE THAN 800,000 PANELS SOAK UP THE SUN THERE. EACH DAY, AND ON ANY GIVEN DAY IT’S PROVIDING CLEAN ENERGY TO ABOUT THE EQUIVALENT OF 90,000 PEOPLE ACROSS WISCONSIN. A PARTNERSHIP OF WISCONSIN UTILITIES, THE SOLAR FARM’S GOAL IS TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS, AS THEY DO THIS BY USING SPECIAL PANELS CALLED BIFACIAL THAT PRODUCE POWER FROM BOTH SIDES. WE HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE DURING THE SUMMER, BUT IN THE WINTER MONTHS WE HAVE LESS SUN, SMALLER WINDOW, BUT THERE’S SNOW ON THE GROUND. IT REALLY INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF SOLAR ENERGY. THERE’S ABOUT 650 ACRES. FARMER BOB BISHOP ONCE RAN A PIG FARM ON HIS PROPERTY. NOW HE LEASES HIS LAND TO THE UTILITIES, WHICH HAVE BEEN A LIFELINE FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY. WE NEEDED TO STABILIZE OUR INCOME. WE NEEDED TO ADD, YOU KNOW, THE GREATER SOURCE OF REVENUE IN ORDER TO SERVICE DEBT, ETC. AND KEEP THE FARM PROGRESSING FORWARD. FARMERS WANT TO HELP PEOPLE. THEY’RE HELPING PEOPLE HERE VERY DIRECTLY INSTEAD OF FOOD, THOUGH, THEY’RE HELPING FUEL AS THE LARGEST SOLAR PLANT IN THE STATE, BADGER HOLLOW IS LEADING THE WAY FOR MORE GREEN ENERGY PLANTS IN THE WORKS ACROSS SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN. REPORTING IN COBB, METEOROLOGIST GINO RECCHIA, WISN 12 NEWS. AND ANOTHER PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN KENOSHA COUNTY CALLED THE PARIS SOLAR FARM
Check out this solar farm: It produces enough energy to power 90,000 homes
Updated: 3:36 PM CDT Jun 15, 2024
In the heart of Iowa County, about an hour west of Madison, Wisconsin, lies the largest solar farm in Wisconsin. Spanning 2,000 acres, Badger Hollow Solar Farm, which was completed in January, represents a monumental step toward a greener future.Brendan Conway, a spokesperson for We Energies, expressed his excitement about the completion of the project.”It’s really great to be here every time because, number on, the site had been growing for many years, so it’s cool to see it now that it’s finally been built,” he said.Badger Hollow is equipped with over 800,000 solar panels that soak up the sun each day, generating clean energy. Conway highlighted the farm’s impact and said, “In any given day, it’s providing clean energy to the equivalent of 90,000 people across Wisconsin.”The solar farm is a collaborative effort among various Wisconsin utilities, with the primary goal of reducing carbon emissions. One of the innovative features of Badger Hollow is the use of bifacial solar panels, which produce power from both sides. These panels are especially effective in Wisconsin’s winter when the sun reflects off the snow.”We have plenty of sunshine during the summer,” Conway said. “But in the winter months, we have less sun, a smaller window, but there’s snow on the ground. It really increases the amount of solar energy.”The land on which part of Badger Hollow sits was once home to a pig farm operated by Bob Bishop. Now, Bishop leases his land to the utilities, providing a crucial source of income for his family. “We needed to stabilize our income. We needed to add, you know, a greater source of revenue in order to service debt, etc., and keep the farm progressing forward,” Bishop said.Conway emphasized the broader impact of such partnerships.”Farmers want to help people; they’re helping people here very directly. Instead of food, they are helping fuel,” Conway said. As the largest solar plant in the state, Badger Hollow is paving the way for more green energy projects across Southeast Wisconsin. Another significant project, the Paris Solar Farm in Kenosha County, which includes a battery storage component, is expected to be completed later this year.
In the heart of Iowa County, about an hour west of Madison, Wisconsin, lies the largest solar farm in Wisconsin. Spanning 2,000 acres, Badger Hollow Solar Farm, which was completed in January, represents a monumental step toward a greener future.
Brendan Conway, a spokesperson for We Energies, expressed his excitement about the completion of the project.
“It’s really great to be here every time because, number on, the site had been growing for many years, so it’s cool to see it now that it’s finally been built,” he said.
Badger Hollow is equipped with over 800,000 solar panels that soak up the sun each day, generating clean energy.
Conway highlighted the farm’s impact and said, “In any given day, it’s providing clean energy to the equivalent of 90,000 people across Wisconsin.”
The solar farm is a collaborative effort among various Wisconsin utilities, with the primary goal of reducing carbon emissions. One of the innovative features of Badger Hollow is the use of bifacial solar panels, which produce power from both sides. These panels are especially effective in Wisconsin’s winter when the sun reflects off the snow.
“We have plenty of sunshine during the summer,” Conway said. “But in the winter months, we have less sun, a smaller window, but there’s snow on the ground. It really increases the amount of solar energy.”
The land on which part of Badger Hollow sits was once home to a pig farm operated by Bob Bishop. Now, Bishop leases his land to the utilities, providing a crucial source of income for his family.
“We needed to stabilize our income. We needed to add, you know, a greater source of revenue in order to service debt, etc., and keep the farm progressing forward,” Bishop said.
Conway emphasized the broader impact of such partnerships.
“Farmers want to help people; they’re helping people here very directly. Instead of food, they are helping fuel,” Conway said.
As the largest solar plant in the state, Badger Hollow is paving the way for more green energy projects across Southeast Wisconsin. Another significant project, the Paris Solar Farm in Kenosha County, which includes a battery storage component, is expected to be completed later this year.
