
This photo shows an Invenergy solar farm in Grand Ridge, Ill. Invenergy is planning a solar farm in the Town of Paris in western Kenosha County.
KENOSHA COUNTY — Paris Town Chairman John Holloway says he is confident assurances reached with Invenergy, the company planning to construct a 200-megawatt solar farm in the town along Highway KR, will carry over when the operation is sold to a utility company.
“Invenergy had made the town aware early in the process that they would most likely seek a buyer for the project and only function as the developer,” Holloway said. “The town made sure that any agreements with Paris Solar were transferable and enforceable on buyers.”
Holloway said he has spoken with representatives from WEC Energy Group, the parent company of We Energies that has filed a joint application with Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) to purchase Paris Solar-Battery Park for roughly $426 million.
“They are fully aware of the MOU (memorandum of understanding) that was negotiated and are fully prepared to follow it,” Holloway said. “The town will continue to work with Invenergy during the construction phase and we are confident about that relationship.”
A Paris Solar project update is on the Town Board agenda for discussion at its meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The solar farm is planned for a site 1.5 miles west of I-94, on parcels bordering Highway KR on the north, Highway 45 on the west and partly adjacent to Highway 142 (Burlington Road) on the south.
Invenergy secured contracts for more than 2,500 acres of land. However, the solar arrays would only be located on about 1,400 acres, according to original filings. Up to 750,000 solar panels could be installed in arrays mounted between 7 and 15 feet off the ground. The arrays tilt to track the sun’s daylight path.
Lost property tax plan
The 59-page MOU includes: Road and drainage system protections; a lost property tax revenue program for taxing bodies that, unlike the town, will not receive utility aid payments when the property is removed from the tax roll; and a decommissioning plan.
The lost revenue program will calculate the amount of lost revenue based on local tax rates for the land at the time the project is placed in service. Payment amounts for each taxing authority will be increased annually by 2%. The company will execute the lost revenue program “only to the extent the amount promised is recoverable” through utility rates.
Per the decommissioning plan, removal of all project components at the company’s expense to a depth of 4 feet and restoration of the land to a condition reasonably similar to pre-existing conditions, including de-compacting areas where project access roads were installed and any other areas of substantial soil compaction.
WEC and MGE filed the joint application in early February as part of their plans to replace coal-fired power and expand the battery system approved by the Public Service Commission.
The solar park, as approved by the PSC, is expected to produce enough electricity to supply about 60,000 homes. The utility companies will seek to expand the battery system to allow the plant to provide power even when the sun is not shining.
WEC subsidiaries We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service Corp. would own 90 percent of the project, and MGE would own the other 10 percent.
The purchase requires approval from the state Public Service Commission.
Invenergy’s PSC approval allows for a 50-megawatt battery-storage system, which will be the largest in the State of Wisconsin.
The 11-megawatt battery-storage system WEC and MGE will seek approval for would be among the largest in the nation.
IN PHOTOS: February Readers' Photo of the Day submissions
Photo of the Day runs most mornings in the Kenosha news on the weather page. Send your submissions to newsroom@kenoshanews.com
SNOWY WOODS
Colette Sanneman sent in this photo, “taken while exercising my dogs through the woods in Brighton on Monday. The snow was heavily flocked on the trees, with the afternoon sun in the background.” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Connie Covey sent in this photo on Feb. 5, after the big snowstorm. “Bailey enjoyed the big snowfall so much, we have changed her name to Snowball!” she said. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Diane Montgomery sent in this photo, showing what she describes as “the beauty of a winter storm.” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Harold Frush sent in this photo on Feb. 1, which he calls “snowy owl.” As he writes, “What a hoot! Arrived Sunday morning and was gone Monday morning.” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Brian Platt sent in this photo, which he calls simply “Sunrise.” Even if it’s sunny outside today, however, it is supposed to be VERY cold. Be careful when venturing outside. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Kenosha County Clerk Regi Bachochin sent in this photo taken on Jan. 31, during that huge snowfall, of her dog, Zellie, catching a snowball in the air. Zellie, a 5-year-old Parson Jack Russell and rat terrier mix, “doesn’t usually like the cold,” Bachochin said, “but she had so much fun playing in the deep snow.” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Kurt Wruck sent in this stunning photo, captured in Carol Beach in Pleasant Prairie as the sun started to rise over Lake Michigan. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
GiGi Whitmore sent in this adorable photo. “My puppy, Osa, couldn’t figure out why this lakefront bush at Kemper Center was so icy,” she said. And that was BEFORE our recent snow storm! Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Brian Platt sent in this photo, which he snapped of a recent sunrise near the DeKoven Center, on the lakefront in downtown Racine. Though the sun may be shining today, it’s still cold outside, so bundle up! Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Linda Plaza sent in this photo of the sunrise on Valentine’s Day at Lake Michigan, with the lighthouse standing out in the arctic scene. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Kayla Gentz sent in this photo, which she calls “Lake Michigan in the Winter.” Brrrr! Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Dana Hutson sent in this photo. “While taking a walk in the aftermath of last week’s snowstorm,” she said, “I was struck by the way something as utilitarian as a light pole can be used to display nature’s strength and beauty.” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Brian Platt sent in this photo of the Kenosha Harbor lighthouse, as seen behind one of the sculptures in HarborPark. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Nancy Quist, who regularly walks in area parks and other trails, sent in this photo from a cold day earlier this month. “I took this photo this morning (Feb. 19) at Southport Park. The sun had just risen and was shining between the clouds towards the shore, backlighting this ice.” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Frank and Angie Waldo sent in this photo from Feb. 19 of their dog, Grace, looking outside at all the recent snow. They call the photo “Too Much Snow” and said Gracie is “yearning for squirrel chasing days!” Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Sue Dowse sent in this photo, which she calls “Sunrise at Southport Park.” As she explains, “We were walking this morning at Southport Park and saw the beautiful sky” as the sun rose over Lake Michigan. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Diane Montgomery sent in this photo. “This is my dachshund Buddy and his opinion of going out this winter,” she said. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.
Eric Routman captured this image about 5:15 p.m. on Feb. 16, as dusk was starting. The photo “is looking east toward Lake Michigan at the Anderson Arts Center.” The arts center, 6603 Third Ave., has a new display, featuring nine solo exhibitions with a variety of work by Wisconsin artists. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Have a photo to share? Email it to newsroom@kenoshanews.com.