The Albany Solar Project in Green County, Wisconsin, earned an Envision Platinum award for its sustainability achievements. Owned and operated by Alliant Energy, this solar array spans approximately 336 acres and generates clean, renewable energy for customers and communities. The 50-megawatt (MW) Albany Solar is anticipated to generate enough energy to power 13,000 homes annually, and it will serve as a significant source of new local tax revenue both for the Town of Decatur and nearby Green County. 

The Albany Solar Project is one of a portfolio of solar projects supporting Alliant Energy’s transition to a more diverse energy mix. This portfolio, totaling nearly 1,100 MW of solar generation represents a key initiative of Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint, which serves as a roadmap to accelerate the company’s transition to renewable energy. Alliant Energy chose to use the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework for this portfolio of projects to align its project development practices with the company’s sustainability goals.  

“ISI congratulates Alliant Energy on the success of the Albany Solar Project that continues to demonstrate the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and to the communities of Wisconsin,” said Kristi Wamstad, ISI Verification Director. “Strong implementation of the Envision Framework across their portfolio of clean energy projects has highlighted how development of this infrastructure has helped achieve economic, environmental, and social benefits.”

“Safety was our top priority throughout the construction of the Albany solar site, particularly with the proximity of the local Mennonite community and the site’s sprawling layout,” said Cameron Gardner, Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell at the Albany site. “Our team took every precaution to ensure not only the safety of our craft workers but also the well-being of the public. By implementing rigorous safety protocols and maintaining clear communication with the surrounding community, we successfully balanced construction progress with the highest standards of public safety.”  

Envision was designed to promote more sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure projects. It is comprised of 64 sustainability and resiliency indicators (called credits) which are organized within five categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Resilience. Together, the categories and credits address materials, energy, conservation, community development, planning, collaboration, human well-being, mobility, and more. Completing this verification process and earning an Envision Platinum Award for the Albany Solar Project serves to validate and recognize this project team’s dedicated efforts through an objective third-party source. A selection of sustainable infrastructure accomplishments on this project are highlighted below. 

Sustainability Achievements 

Plan for Sustainability Communities – The Albany Solar Project demonstrated a high level of achievement in the degree to which the project selection and identification included sustainability performance assessments as part of a larger, state-wide sustainable development plan. A key accomplishment is that this project helps to remedy a state-wide deficit in renewable energy generation and facilitates Alliant Energy’s phasing out of coal powered energy generation infrastructure in the state. 

Renewable Energy Generation – Alliant Energy has an aspirational goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its utility operations by 2050 through diversifying its energy sources and transitioning to cleaner fuels. This project aims to support that goal by generating approximately 104,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy in its first year of operation. 

Protecting Surface and Groundwater Quality – The measures undertaken included conducting research to understand the project settings and community sensitivities associated with groundwater protection, incorporating spill and leak prevention response plans, actively eliminating at least one source of hazardous and/or potentially polluting substances, and responsive surface water and groundwater monitoring and reporting systems. 

Improve Air Quality – As Alliant Energy continues to transition to cleaner energy sources, it has demonstrated a commitment to improve air quality by reducing air emissions from its portfolio of assets. Energy generated by the project will offset electricity that would otherwise be produced by fossil fuel-fired generation sources. 

PROJECT DETAILS AT-A-GLANCE 

Title: Albany Solar Project
Location: Green County, Wisconsin
Envision Rating: Platinum
Envision Award Date: October 7, 2024
Lead Envision Firm: Burns & McDonnell
Project Owner: Alliant Energy
Project Partners:  Burns & McDonnell
Total Project Cost: USD $62.2 million
Project Delivery Method: Engineer, Procure, Construct (EPC)
Project Status: complete and operational
Project Website: https://www.alliantenergy.com/cleanenergy/ourenergyvision/solargeneration/wisconsinsolar/albanysolarproject