Marathon County, WI — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

None codified. No confirmed county-specific setbacks.

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

Generally receptive — agricultural community; Wausau economic development

Central WI; Wausau area; mixed urban/agricultural; active solar in agricultural areas; 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.

Marathon County (Wausau area), central Wisconsin: Developer sued two Marathon County towns over wind farm rules Jan 2025 — key battleground in local control dispute (Wisconsin Watch Jan 27 2025). Farmland First advocacy group active. Alliant Energy (WPL) and WPS serve. PSC CPCN requires local engagement but not approval.

Marathon County towns sued by wind developer over local restrictions (2023–24); similar conflict expected for solar