Solar Plus Ag Project Proposed at UW-Kegonsa Research Campus

UW-Madison, working with Alliant Energy contracting with Sunvest Solar as the developer, is in the process of vetting a proposed 2.25 MW solar PV project on 10 of the 280-acre Kegonsa Ag Research Station in the Town of Dunn, Dane County. This project will provide an opportunity for research in areas from soils analysis, stormwater runoff, and water quality to pollinator species, animal grazing, and agrivoltaics. To support agriculture under and along with solar PV, the racking will be taller and spaced farther apart than a typical solar field. The project supports the carbon reduction and sustainability goals of UW, Alliant Energy, Dane County, and the state.

A hearing on the draft environmental impact assessment was held March 24th. The site is not classified as prime farmland and is outside of the floodplain with no wetlands. The interconnection will be underground with electric cable and a fiberoptics line. Process will include community input, collaboration with campus departments, approval by the UW Board of Regents (likely April), with construction and completion in 2023. Both the Town of Dunn and UW will receive revenue annually from the project. UW Office of Sustainability