Clean Grid Alliance: Wisconsin joins clean power “Gigawatt Club” with recent addition of 102 MW solar

ST. PAUL, MINN. (October 26, 2021) – This October 25-29 is American Clean Power Week, a first-ever nationwide celebration of clean energy and the good-paying jobs the industry creates across America. Renewables are powering homes and businesses, creating jobs, investing in communities, and reducing costs for consumers, all while helping to reduce carbon emissions across the nation.

Wisconsin has reached 1,064 megawatts (MW) of operational clean power capacity, making it the final MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) North state to join the “gigawatt club” for clean energy. According to the American Clean Power Association (ACPA), Wisconsin has installed 102 MW of clean power capacity in the third quarter alone, more than any other state in the MISO North footprint. This additional capacity is made up entirely of solar power. Further, the state has 554 MW of clean power capacity under construction.

Clean Power Delivers Jobs and Economic Development for Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s growing operational capacity of wind, solar and energy storage plants provide just over 3 percent of the state’s electricity. The clean power industry provides 5,600 Wisconsinites with good-paying jobs. More clean power capacity is on the horizon, and more opportunities will come with it. The ACPA third quarter market report indicates that in addition to Wisconsin’s 554 MW of clean power capacity under construction, there are another 748 MW in advanced stages of development.

“The clean energy industry is not only providing affordable, reliable power where we live and work, it is also powering good-paying American jobs across all 50 states and driving investment into local communities,” said Clean Grid Alliance Executive Director Beth Soholt. “Wind, solar and storage projects have invested $2 billion into the economy in Wisconsin, and another $8.5 million in land-lease payments. Within the decade, clean energy will be the primary way we power our lives. Supporting clean energy means supporting the prosperity of Wisconsin’s communities and economy.”

Clean power continues to grow across the United States. In total, there are now 186,674 MW of clean power capacity operating in the U.S, which is enough to power over 52 million homes across the country. The renewable energy industry employs 415,000 people nationwide and has invested $360 billion into the U.S. economy since 2005.