Wisconsin DNR, Alliant Energy agree on solar and battery system for buildings at Black Hawk Unit
A collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Alliant Energy will produce a solar and battery storage project capable of powering both a park building and cabin on the 800-acre Black Hawk Unit of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.
Located south of Sauk City, Wis., the site is scheduled to reopen later this year. To get the buildings the power they needed, DNR and Alliant agreed on a microgrid complete with a small solar array and an affiliated battery to store the renewable power. As such, the buildings will operate separately from the larger grid. It saved on costs, according to Alliant, while simultaneously allowing the company to kick off a pilot project.
“The electrical line that ran from the power pole to the recreation area was near the end of its useful life and needed to be rebuilt,” Michael Graves, Alliant Energy senior engineer, said. “It became clear that doing so would be challenging and costly due to the rocky and steep terrain it traveled over. So, we pulled a group together to look at other options.”
The microgrid includes a six-kilowatt solar generation system, a 42-kilowatt-hour battery, a charge controller, inverter, and cellular communications. It was energized earlier this year and, upon the buildings’ reopening, will provide power for lighting and a water pump. It is expected to be used only seasonally, from May through October.
“Not only does this project further our organizational effort to transition to green energy, but it also improves the natural beauty of the area by removing the visible power lines,” said DNR Secretary’s Director Mark Aquino. “We are proud to partner with Alliant Energy on the project and look forward to having it provide electricity to our Black Hawk Ridge area of the Riverway anytime the area is open to visitors.”
