Solar power in Wisconsin

A 2016 estimate indicated that a typical 5 kW solar array installed in Wisconsin would pay for itself in 13 years, and go on to provide an additional profit of $18,860 during its 25-year life. Wisconsin's renewable portfolio standard required 10% renewable sources for electricity by 2015.

Implications

In 2007, Wisconsin's largest solar array was the 44.4 kW array on the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee.

In 2011, the largest array was the 360 kW parking lot array in Verona owned by Epic, which is being expanded to 2.2 MW. A 3.177 MW array is planned for a distribution center in Oconomowoc.

In June 2016, the 2.3 MW Rock River solar project near Beloit became the largest solar farm in the state.

The KI convention center located in Green Bay currently (as of 2013) has the largest solar PV installation in Northeastern Wisconsin. The new 115-kilowatt array comprises 480 PV solar panels.

As of May 2014, there are about 2,250 homes powered by solar energy in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin ranks 24th in the nation for the number of solar jobs. Between 2012 and 2014, the state added 800 jobs in the solar industry.

Water treatment facilities

In Superior, the city's wastewater treatment plant has installed four So-larBee units to provide adequate aeration without the use of the city's 75-hp units. After this installation, the 75-hp blower units can be completely shut off during no-flow periods. As a result, the city of Superior saved $18,000 per month.