Solar energy is more than a smart investment for our Wisconsin customers – it's a sustainable path into the future.

In 2024, we completed a multi-phase buildout of 12 utility-scale solar projects in Wisconsin totaling 1,089 MW. This investment in a more diverse energy generation mix created more than 2,700 jobs across all projects. It improves service reliability and enables us to power nearly 300,000 homes annually with zero-fuel-cost solar energy.

We are also working with many communities and local businesses to expand solar energy options. Our Alliant Energy® Community Solar program allows electric customers to benefit from solar power without installing solar panels on their property. We’ve also energized Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables projects at multiple locations in Iowa and Wisconsin.

Check out our map below for more information.

Battery storage units maximize the value of our renewable energy assets. This storage capacity allows us to capture excess electricity that is generated when the wind is blowing strongest and the sun is shining brightest. When the sun goes down or energy demands increase, we can release this stored battery power onto the grid and deliver clean, reliable energy to customers.

These energy storage solutions improve reliability and better meet customer needs – all while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and avoiding costly energy grid rebuilds.

We currently have several battery storage pilot units in operation and continue to evaluate potential development opportunities to harness more locally grown power and accelerate our transition to renewable energy. In Portage, we have a 5 MW battery that went into operation in 2022. We also have a Sauk City battery installed in 2020 and another in Boaz as part of a microgrid.

With an eye toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions and delivering cleaner, more cost-effective energy, we are working toward eliminating all coal from our generation fleet by 2040. It’s part of our Clean Energy Vision.

As we transition from coal to cleaner energy, we remain focused on caring for our customers and employees. Communities will benefit from new jobs and economic development opportunities. We also provide career assistance to employees who are interested, including one-on-one coaching, tuition reimbursement and other resources geared toward the individual and unique needs of each employee. 

Everything we are doing is about staying true to our purpose-driven strategy: Supporting customers and building strong communities.

In May 2020, customers started receiving energy from our new natural gas generating station – West Riverside Energy Center, located near Beloit, Wisconsin.

The facility can produce enough power for more than 550,000 homes.

The generation station’s combined-cycle technology allows it to adjust its power output up and down quickly to complement our wind and solar generation. In fact, our integrated 4-MW solar field on land adjacent to the West Riverside Energy Center become fully operational in 2021. This solar facility increases sustainability and efficiency by offsetting auxiliary power at the natural gas plant.

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Wind is a clean source of energy and a key part of our diversified energy mix.

With wind having no associated fuel costs, our investment in this renewable resource provides long-term savings for our customers.

In October 2020, the Kossuth Wind Farm became operational. This is a 150-MW wind farm located in Kossuth County, Iowa. Located in north-central Iowa, an area with consistently strong wind resources, the Kossuth Wind Farm can generate enough energy for 57,000 homes.

In early April 2018, we also finalized our acquisition of a 55-MW ownership interest in the Forward Wind Energy Center near Brownsville, Wisconsin. Both of these projects add to our existing fleet of two other wind farms serving Wisconsin customers: Cedar Ridge and Bent Tree.

Alliant Energy is now the third-largest utility owner-operator of regulated wind in the United States.