SolSmart Designees
Wood County
Wisconsin
Wood County worked with a SolSmart partner to conduct several solar feasibility studies for county facilities. The initial techno-economic analysis resulted in the Nepco Park solar array, the first county-owned solar project. Another solar project from the feasibility study has been added to the county’s Capital Improvement Plan for 2022. The county will also be home to a 150 MW solar farm under construction, which will incorporate pollinator-friendly habitat.
- Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers
- Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
- Allowed solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations don’t require special permits or hearings)
- Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV
- Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems
We are enthused and excited to begin Wood County’s journey into the world of renewable and sustainable energy generation. We look forward to using our Nepco Lake Park array as a laboratory that will gather data and analytics for the expansion of these technologies to other parts of our county, benefiting all of our citizens and taxpayers.
- Doug Machon, Wood County Board Chairperson
