Two Creeks Solar Park reaches milestone in Manitowoc County
MANITOWOC COUNTY (WLUK) -- It's being called a milestone in renewable energy, at Wisconsin's first large-scale solar-generating facility.
A quarter million blue panels are already in place at Two Creeks Solar Park in Manitowoc County, and it's only halfway done.
The solar park is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 33,000 homes when it's finished.
Hundreds of thousands of solar panels shining in the Monday morning sun. Construction at the Two Creeks Solar Park began about a year ago. The $390 million project is a partnership between Wisconsin Public Service, and Madison Gas and Electric. WPS spokesman Matt Cullen says harnessing the power of the sun is getting cheaper.
"And our customers are the ones that will benefit from this. The utility scale for solar in recent years, has increased in efficiency, as prices have dropped significantly making it a cost-effective option for our customers," said Matt Cullen, WPS Spokesman.
The solar farm covers 800 acres east of Mishicot. Ken Frank lives right next to the park. He says he supports solar, but there are some concerns.
"You lose a lot of the view, but again, it's a business. Farms are business. If you have opportunities to make money, that's what you have to do," said Ken Frank, Town of Two Creeks.
Matt Cullen says the relationship between the Utility and those in the surrounding area is good.
"Working close with those local landowners to minimize the impacts of the construction process, whether it's having materials delivered to the site, additional deliveries, and things of that sort. And we worked with some of the landowners to lease the space that's at the Twin Creeks Solar Park," he said.
In the meantime, construction continues. By the end of the year, a half-million panels are expected to be in place, and the park will be open for business.
WPS says the solar park is an important piece in its energy playbook, giving customers a cleaner option.
Right now, the utility uses coal, natural gas, and wind to produce electricity.
