Hi there, solar enthusiasts! Today let’s talk about another major win for solar power as Burns & McDonnell completes an outstanding series of nine solar projects for utility Alliant Energy in Wisconsin.
This considerable achievement is part of Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint. The grand plan? To bring a whopping 1.1 GW of solar generation to Wisconsin by the end of 2024. As impressive as it sounds, it is visibly within reach given the enormous strides that solar companies are taking in the industry.
Occupying over 5,000 acres, these projects are forecasted to generate enough electricity to meet the equivalent power demand of around 170,000 homes, showcasing the potential of solar panels for your home. The projects consist of a vast array of solar sites, all varying in power capacity from 50 MW to 100 MW. To top it off, the largest, Wood County Solar Project, represents a record 150 MW site.
What’s more interesting? The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) was managed by one company – Burns & McDonnell. Despite the troubling times of COVID-19, labor inadequacies, and supply chain restrictions that swamped utility-scale, the projects launched construction in 2021 and successfully delivered on-time with no room for a hitch.
The trick? Well, execution. It was the integration of the EPC team, self-perform crews, environmental and permitting specialists, and substation and interconnection support teams with Alliant Energy and local union halls. This well-tailored collaboration was the propelling force that enabled these projects to progress smoothly despite the ongoing global crisis.
What does this mean for Alliant Energy? Long-term savings through strategic investments in solar power. It’s a classic case of a solar array for home, but this time on a larger scale.
In addition to bringing electricity to many homes, these projects jointly offered employment to over 1,300 craft workers during their installation time. Through AZCO, there was a successful apprenticeship program that provided hands-on experience for 230 rookies working as carpenters, electricians, laborers, operators, and millwrights, from which over 75% were Wisconsin residents!
To wrap up the project, nine greenfield substations were built. Moreover, six generation-tie lines boosted the infrastructure by adding roughly 8 miles of 69-kV and 138-kV transmission lines, further strengthening the regional grid system.
Indeed, if you are contemplating making the shift to solar for your home, the completion of these solar projects is just another example of how solar companies continue advancing the industry, and how such an investment could be beneficial in the long run.
Here’s to a future powered by clean, sustainable energy – the solar power. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the world of solar. Until next time!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/20/burns-mcdonnell-completes-764-mw-solar-portfolio-in-wisconsin/
