Kenosha County, WI — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

Kenosha County Ordinance 16 (2022, Nov 1): Solar farm conditional use permitted in A-1, A-2, A-4, I-1 (agricultural/institutional) districts for <100 MW under §12.40.080(b)(138). Specific setback distances not codified in ordinance; setbacks governed by standard A-district requirements. Utility-scale ≥100 MW regulated by WI PSC CPCN and exempt from local zoning under Wis. Stat. §66.0401. Source: kenoshacountywi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16146/O6-Zoning-Solar-Energy-Systems

Kenosha County: CUP in Agricultural/Industrial district for projects <100 MW.

Generally receptive; land is primary constraint

SE WI; Chicago suburb (Kenosha); dense suburban; limited utility-scale land; commercial primary; local CUP

Stable

PSC of Wisconsin has siting authority for wind/solar ≥100 MW (Wis. Stat. §196.491). Projects <100 MW: local CUP/SUP under county/town zoning governs. Local restrictions on wind systems must meet one of 3 conditions: (1) public health/safety; (2) not significantly increase cost/decrease efficiency; (3) allows comparable alternative. Local solar restrictions face similar reasonableness standard. No statewide preemption below 100 MW threshold — strong local control. MISO interconnection territory statewide.

Wisconsin RPS: 10% renewable by 2015 (met — weakest in region). Focus on Energy program: commercial/industrial rebates for solar ($150-450/kW for ≤25 kW). Property tax exemption: Wis. Stat. §70.111(18) — solar systems exempt from property tax assessment. Sales tax exemption: Wis. Stat. §77.54(57m) — solar equipment purchases exempt. Wisconsin Green Energy program: voluntary renewable program through WPS, MGE, We Energies. Alliant WPL (WI) has deployed ~1,089 MW solar by 2024; Vista Sands (1,315 MW Portage Co.) approved June 2025 — largest WI solar project. Utility: We Energies (WEC) serves SE WI/Milwaukee; WPS (WEC) serves NE WI; Alliant Energy (WPL) serves central/southern WI; MGE serves Madison metro; Xcel NSPW serves far NW WI; Dairyland Power Coop and WPPI Energy serve rural areas.

Paris Solar Energy Center (We Energies / WEC Energy Group / Madison Gas and Electric) | 200 MW | ~500,000 panels | Town of Paris | OPERATIONAL 2024 | PSC CPCN approved Dec 2020 | 110 MW battery storage online Jun 2025 | $3M+ annually in taxes, landowner payments, wages. Source: psc.wi.gov/Pages/CommissionActions/CasePages/ParisSolarProject.aspx

Board passed 20-1 resolution (2023) urging state legislature to restore local control over 100+ MW solar; County Exec Kerkman vetoed pro-solar resolution