Madison, WI — In a hearing that lasted more than 3 1/2 hours, fourteen witnesses including Wisconsin farmers, contractors, solar developers, economists, and major employers testified today in strong support of Local Solar legislation (SB-559 and AB 493), highlighting how the legislation would lower energy bills for all Wisconsinites, strengthen the grid, and return decision-making power to local communities.
Wisconsin families are struggling under some of the highest electricity costs in the Midwest and need affordable, locally generated energy options. The bill creates a community solar program that allows farmers and developers to build small-scale projects (typically 20–30 acres) that neighbors can subscribe to, expanding access to solar – the cheapest form of electricity – while avoiding larger developments that sometimes face local opposition. The legislation ensures that taxpayer dollars are not needed for projects; they are funded by private dollars.
Testifiers emphasized that the proposal restores local control by shifting siting authority from the Public Service Commission to municipalities and towns, ensuring decisions are made closest to the people affected. Farmers described how the bill would create a lifeline for many family farms, allowing them to lease small, unproductive portions of land to diversify income without sacrificing productive acreage. Contractors noted that their highly skilled workers are being forced to travel out of state for community solar jobs they’d much rather do here at home.
Today’s hearing showcased the breadth of the coalition behind this measure. Supporters include major employers, health systems, builders, farmers, and clean-energy advocates — including Walmart, Advocate Aurora Health, Arch Electric, Organic Valley, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Kohler, RENEW Wisconsin, Associated Builders and Contractors, and farmers across the state.
Witnesses agreed: Community solar puts power back in the hands of Wisconsin communities and offers a practical, affordable solution to the state’s mounting energy challenges.
The bill’s sponsors, Sen. Pat Testin and Rep. Scott Krug, underscored growing frustration among constituents who want alternatives to large solar farms and skyrocketing utility bills.
Quote from Sen. Pat Testin
“Community solar gives people the freedom to choose affordable, locally generated power while putting decision-making back where it belongs: in our communities. This bill is about lowering bills, strengthening our grid, and making sure local voices are heard in the energy decisions that affect them every day.”
Quote from Rep. Scott Krug
“Community-scale projects give our communities a say in where projects are sited, keeping land use decisions close to home while opening the door to real savings for households and businesses. This legislation delivers a practical, Wisconsin-made approach to clean, affordable energy. Today’s testimony shows just how broad the support truly is.”
Quote from Ryan Jolma, Jolma Utilities:
“I’ll be honest I wasn’t so excited about coming all the way down here from Ashland today. I’m just here for our people – I know what it would mean for Northern Wisconsin if we had the opportunity to build community solar projects here at home for good wages instead of traveling 8-10 hours a week for work in Illinois.”
Quote from Duane Hinchley, Hinchley Dairy Farm (Cambridge, WI):
“As a second generation dairy farmer in Dane County, I like that the benefits of community solar stay local, giving my neighbors the chance to subscribe to a portion of the power and reduce their electricity costs.”
Quote from Craig Bain, Farmer (Arpin / Wood County):
“The steady income from this community solar lease is what will allow me to keep the rest of my land in agricultural production. It stabilizes my business and ensures that I can pass this land on to my family, rather than having to sell it off to a developer who might pave it over for good.”
Quote from Dave Klevesahl, Farmer (Door County):
“If I was not a landowner with an opportunity to start a community solar farm and I had this opportunity to help with getting community solar farms created in Wisconsin, I would still be eager to help make it happen, because it’s the right thing to do. We need to pass community for the little guy, for the family farm to supply another clean honorable product, and for the many Wisconsinites who are tired of never ending rate increases. Community solar is the only opportunity to save real people real money on the monthly utility bills.”
Quote from JD Smith, Arch Electric:
“Over 100 of Arch Electric’s Plymouth, WI based staff work exclusively on community solar but have to go to Illinois for work. Those good jobs should be available here at home.”
Beata Wierzba, RENEW Wisconsin:
“Community solar will make affordable solar power accessible to Wisconsin families who may not have their own financing, enough sun exposure, or own their property. These medium-sized projects benefit businesses and individuals, both as subscribers saving on their electric bill, and as hosts, allowing private investment in renewable energy.”
Quote from Karl Rábago, Rábago Energy, LLC:
“Utilities have said a lot of false, scary things about the costs of this program. To set the record straight, non-subscribers will not be asked to pay for benefits that only subscribers receive. New, local, in-state generation boosts reliability and affordability for all customers—reducing charges from inflated monopoly utility spending.”
Quote from Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Research Director, Will Flanders: “Wisconsin is heading toward an energy shortfall, and the free market offers the best path to lower energy costs. Community solar, when implemented through a true free-market approach, can strengthen reliability, reduce costs, and open a competitive and innovative energy market in Wisconsin. Greater freedom and consumer choice are essential to meet the growing demands on our electric grid, and this is a great opportunity to move in that direction.”
Quote from Bonnie Beyer, Farmer:
Our farm has been passed down with care from one generation to the next and we’d like to preserve our farm’s legacy and not sell it off. We feel a deep connection to Wisconsin agricultural heritage and we’ve turned down offers over the years from real estate developers, but profitable alternatives are needed for retiring farmers like us. But this opportunity is on hold due to outdated laws preventing us from having this option. Wisconsin has always relied on the ingenuity of its farmers…why should we stop now?”
Quote from Brandon Smithwood, Dimension Energy:
“This legislation is an opportunity to lower Wisconsin families’ energy bills when they need it the most. It’s a win for ratepayers who will pay less, farmers who could use an additional income source, local businesses who are currently sending their workers out of state, and communities that don’t have a say over utility-scale energy projects.”
