This post originally appeared at https://wisconsindailystar.com/news/usda-hands-out-93-million-to-wisconsin-businesses-for-renewable-energy-projects/tcsquare/2024/10/11/

by Thérèse Boudreaux

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $93 million to Wisconsin business owners to install solar panels and other renewable energy projects in rural pockets across the state.

The grants come after the USDA already allocated $27 million to Wisconsin businesses in June for the same purpose.

“Through the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is investing in expanding renewable energy systems in rural communities across Wisconsin,” USDA Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa said Wednesday. “This grant funding will invest directly in farmers, business owners, and cooperatives, helping lower energy costs and increase sustainability.”

The vast majority of the money, $91.5 million, will be allocated to two solar generation projects, one in La Crosse County and one in Dane County.

The project in La Crosse County by Dairyland Power Cooperative will receive $15.6 million to finance 2 megawatts of solar equipment at two sites along with a battery storage system.

 The project in Dane County by Stag Moose Solar LLC will receive $75.9 million to build 22 solar arrays that will produce 62 megawatts of power for use in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, enough to potentially power 16,000 homes.

The remaining $1.5 million, sourced from the Rural Energy for America program, will go to 21 Wisconsin small businesses, including a motel, creamery, tanning supply shop, and chiropractic office.

Having invested more than $3 billion in solar projects across the state, Wisconsin currently has 2,593 megawatts of solar installed, providing just 3.4% of the state’s electricity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

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Thérèse Boudreaux is an apprentice reporter covering Michigan and Wisconsin for The Center Square under the mentorship of Midwest Regional Editor J.D. Davidson. Her work focuses on election-related news in these two states. Previously, she interned at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Thérèse graduated with a major in politics from Hillsdale College in May of 2024, where she produced award-winning radio journalism.

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