Onion River Solar Project
The Onion River Solar Project is an estimated 150-megawatt (MW) solar project located in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. The Onion River Solar Project will connect into the electrical transmission grid directly through the local substation. Once complete, the project will positively impact the environment and generate enough clean, low-cost energy to power tens of thousands of homes.
Fast facts
- Location: Town of Holland
- Acreage: 1,000 acres
- Developer: Ranger Power
- Public Service Commission Docket: 6680-CE-182
- Timeline: Construction is expected to get underway in the spring of 2022 and be completed in late 2023.
Economic benefits
- Onion River Solar Project will be a significant source of new local tax revenue, creating an estimated $250,000 in annual shared revenue for the Town of Holland and $350,000 in annual shared revenue for Sheboygan County.
- Construction of the project will create a few hundred jobs and employ a couple full-time employees once operational.
- Leased land payments will provide income for local landowners and farmers over the 30-year lifespan.
- In addition, soil recovery during the project’s lifespan will protect agricultural land and preserve its value for future generations.
Environmental benefits
- This project will feature grass and seed mixes surrounding the solar panels and throughout the solar arrays that will help build soil nutrients and create a pollinator-friendly habitat.
- Pollinator-friendly vegetation has been proven to prevent soil erosion and add benefit to high-value crops, creating a win-win for both human and wildlife communities.
- Requiring only sunlight for fuel, the Onion River Solar Project represents a long-term reduction of traditional fossil fuels for energy generation, creating a clean environment and clean energy future for Wisconsin and the Midwest.