Dairyland Power Cooperative has finalized a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Ranger Power for the proposed 149 MW Badger State Solar Project in Jefferson County, Wis.
Dairyland will purchase the entire output of the planned solar PV facility, which is proposed on private land in the towns of Jefferson and Oakland. Pollinator habitat is also planned for the site.
The Badger State Solar Project, developed by Ranger Power, is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power over 20,000 homes. Headquartered in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland provides wholesale electricity to 24 member distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in four states.
“Dairyland is excited to collaborate with Ranger Power on this sustainable solar energy facility,” says Barbara Nick, Dairyland’s president and CEO. “Resource diversification is foundational to Dairyland’s commitment to a sustainable, future-facing power supply. We look forward to Badger State Solar’s benefit to our cooperative membership, local communities and the environment.”
Ranger Power estimates the facility will require hundreds of construction jobs and up to five full-time positions once it is operational. Assuming regulatory approval, the project’s construction will begin in 2020, and commercial operations will begin in 2022.
