OneEnergy Renewables joined Xcel Energy August 13th to cut the ribbon on the utility’s new, 1-megawatt Ashland Solar*Connect Community Solar garden in Ashland, Wisconsin. The ceremony marked another milestone in Xcel’s goal of being 100% carbon free by 2050.

Solar*Connect Community is a portfolio of three 1-megawatt locally sourced solar projects, two of which were developed for Xcel by OneEnergy Renewables, the Ore Dock Solar Project in Ashland, Wisconsin and the Endicott Solar Project outside of Cashton, Wisconsin. In addition to developing the project, OneEnergy operates the project on property owned by the utility.

Xcel Energy’s Solar*Connect Community gardens are part of Wisconsin’s community solar program, which enables residents and businesses to sign up for solar energy without having to put solar on their roofs. As a result, project subscribers have a contract with Xcel Energy and receive bill credits based on their subscription size and the combined solar energy produced by all gardens in the program.

“We commend Xcel Energy for its desire to provide locally sourced renewably energy to its Wisconsin customers,” said Eric Udelhofen, Director of Project Development for OneEnergy Renewables. “Many residents and businesses are simply unable to put solar on their roofs but still want to participate in the renewable energy transition. Therefore, community solar projects like Solar*Connect are a win-win for customers and utilities alike. OneEnergy is thrilled to partner with Xcel to make clean, cost-effective energy more accessible to Wisconsin residents, and we look forward to partnering with Xcel and other Wisconsin utilities in the coming years on more community-scale renewable energy projects.”

The first Solar*Connect Community Solar garden went online in October 2017 in Eau Claire and the second was completed this past May in Cashton.