NextEra Energy Resources built the Hartmann Solar Energy Center near St. Cloud, Minnesota. In 2020, the city of Minnetonka and Cargill Inc. officially opened Hartmann Community Solar with NextEra Energy Resources’ distributed generation team. Community solar programs allow customers to support the growth of renewable energy while reducing their bills by purchasing clean, reliable power. (NextEra Energy Resources)
A proposed solar farm and accompanying facilities in the Town of Morgan will be the subject of a pair of public hearings in early March.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will hold public hearings at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 5 at the Oconto Falls Community and Senior Center, 512 Caldwell Ave.
Fox Solar is proposing to build a solar electric generation facility capable of generating up to 100 megawatts, a collector substation, a generation tie line and a 50-megawatt battery energy storage system on 648.9 acres of land near CCC Road and County Road C.
Fox Solar is a subsidiary of Florida-based developer NextEra Energy. Officials claim the $180 million project investment will result in $12.5 million in tax revenue over the 25 years of the project and 250 construction jobs.
In early October 2025, NextEra officials held a pair of informal meetings in Oconto Falls, and the Town of Morgan held a special meeting about the project.
At the town meeting, it was noted that more than 200,000 solar panels would be constructed.
Officials with NextEra said it is their intent to build the solar farm and then sell it to a larger power generator.
Dozens of area residents have continued to file letters with the PSC.
Recently, Chad Renel, of Oconto Falls, expressed concerns about local wildlife.
“Solar projects should be above parking lots, buildings, wasteland or other areas, not some of the best farmland in Oconto County,” he wrote Jan. 21. “Industrial solar does not belong in a rural farmland area.”
Frank and Carrie Schmedhel owned a farm on CCC Road in Oconto Falls for 35 years and still retain 20 acres with Coopman Creek running through the property. They expressed concerns about the local environment.
“Shouldn’t you be looking at ‘marginal’ land, not the best land?” they wrote in their Feb. 18 letter. “What chemicals will you use to de-ice, remove snow and clean the panels? I believe it will eventually end up in the creek with the runoff into the Oconto River and on to the bay.”
They also brought up concerns about residents’ safety in case of a disaster.
“The battery farm will be on our road,” they said. “If it would catch fire, everyone will be treating the toxic smoke. At this point, we don’t trust you. We don’t need this in our small community.”
Abrams’ Al Stranz wrote the PSC in favor of the project in September.
“Contrary to the local anti-solar folks, I don’t believe this project poses a threat to the environment, nor does it pose a threat to public safety if built according to project permit conditions,” he wrote. “I feel that adding 100 MW of environmentally friendly generation to the grid is a wise choice. I base this opinion on 40 years as an environmental specialist evaluating the environmental impacts of large- and small-scale infrastructure projects, 30 with WDNR, and 10 with a civil engineering firm.”
Two letters in favor of the project were from people or groups outside of the area.
“Solar energy offers meaningful benefits for communities across Wisconsin by providing a clean, renewable source of power that reduces dependence on fossil fuels,” wrote Nicholas Hager, of Wauwatosa, on Feb. 10. “I encourage the construction of the facility.”
Molly Collins wrote that the American Lung Association in Wisconsin supported the proposal.
“This project represents a critical opportunity to improve air quality, safeguard public health and advance Wisconsin’s transition to clean, renewable energy,” she wrote in September.
To comment at either hearing, residents can attend the meeting in person or join by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings. Residents can also join Zoom by telephone at 312-626-6799 (enter meeting ID 809 513 2930).
Residents can also submit written comments no later than March 9 either online at https://apps.psc.wi.gov/pages/publicCommentCase.htm?util=9833&case=CE&num=100 or by writing Docket 9833-CE-100 Comments, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 7854, Madison WI 53707-7854.
Residents can attend a hearing without participating. They can also watch the meeting on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/@PSCWI-Hearings or join by a Zoom phone call at the aforementioned number.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
