Study to examine viability of a statewide solar power project (Wisconsin)

[jpak]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/326059

You may not think of Wisconsin as a place to bask in the sun, but a study will soon begin to see if a statewide solar power project would be a viable way to add to Wisconsin's energy supply.

State regulators will start an investigation into the idea of setting up a statewide solar collaborative that would "dramatically accelerate" the use of photovoltaic solar panels around Wisconsin, said Timothy Le Monds, spokesman for the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.

"There's a strong commitment to look at any type of renewable source here in Wisconsin," Le Monds said. The study of solar will investigate "what its capabilities are, as far as our energy mix."

The idea resulted from recent rate cases for Wisconsin Power & Light in Madison and Wisconsin Public Service Corp. in Green Bay. The PSC called on WPL to triple the use of solar in its Second Nature renewable energy program, in which it pays customers for the solar power they contribute to the electric grid, to more than 680 kilowatts over the next two years. WPS was asked to add 300 kilowatts of solar to its green power program, for the first time.

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