Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More
Continue in Browser
Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts.
Please enter a valid zipcode.
Save
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Wis. — Alliant Energy is proposing a 130-megawatt solar project in Winnebago County that would span about 1,500 acres across the towns of Algoma, Nekimi, Utica and Omro.
The Oshkosh Solar Project would use 142,000 solar panels and is expected to create enough energy to power tens of thousands of homes.
The project’s size, equal to roughly more than 1,100 football fields, has drawn concerns from some residents about its effect on farmland and the rural character of the area.
Aaron Radloff, an Oshkosh dairy farmer, said the project would affect him directly by reducing available farmland and increasing pressure on rental costs.
“Not only am I going to lose some land from this, but my property rents are going to go up,” Radloff said.
He said he is also concerned about potential effects on property values and livestock.
“The representatives have stated that any homes within a mile proximity of any one of these parcels is subject to property values decreasing for homeowners,” Radloff said. “Anyone who has livestock in this area, the fact that stray voltage may be an issue as well to anyone that’s in any proximity.”
Alliant Energy said the project could create up to 200 construction jobs. The company also said it would bring $19.5 million in local shared revenue.
State Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Neenah, said that revenue could help local governments that have been cautious with budgeting address deferred projects, including road maintenance and easements.
“There is definitely a potential upside to a project like this,” Gustafson said.
He said the proposal has also raised questions about how much authority residents and local town boards have in the approval process.
“Ultimately, we’ve actually tried to address it in the state Legislature, AB 7 this session, which was giving that local control back,” Gustafson said.
In a statement to Spectrum News, Alliant Energy said the project is part of its broader energy strategy.
“The project is part of our broader strategy to strengthen grid resiliency and maintain a balanced energy portfolio,” the statement said. “Together with our investments in natural gas, wind and battery storage, projects like Oshkosh Solar help us deliver reliable, cost-effective energy while supporting the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”
Radloff said Alliant officials have told residents the project would not lower their energy bills. He said he does not see a benefit to building a large solar project that could change the landscape of his community.
“If I’m being honest, it makes me sick,” Radloff said. “I didn’t grow up in a prison. I grew up with vast open spaces, and I would like to raise my kids in that same type of community.”
A community meeting to discuss the Oshkosh Solar Project is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Jaspers Food and Spirits. Alliant Energy will host an information meeting from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 22.

source