Expansion completed for largest solar energy project in Milwaukee history
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday to celebrate the completion of the largest solar energy project in the City of Milwaukee's history.
The project is an expansion of a solar energy farm built in 2021 atop a former Milwaukee landfill, located just southeast of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
The first portion of the project, on the property's north side, generated 2.25 megawatts. The new 4.6-megawatt expansion triples the farm's total capacity to 6.85 megawatts, with 9,700 solar panels.
The project is dedicated specifically to powering City of Milwaukee municipal operations.
"With the completion of this project, 80 city buildings are now powered by 100% renewable energy," Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.
The majority of buildings powered by the solar farm are fire stations, libraries and police stations. Stickers will be placed on the doors of those buildings identifying them as being fully powered by renewable energy.
The expansion is part of We Energies' state-approved Renewable Pathway Program, through which the utility finances the construction, maintenance and land lease.
In turn, the city will pay slightly more for electricity — an additional half-cent per kilowatt-hour.
"The cost of not doing anything on climate change, not doing anything on renewable energy, is substantially more than what we're paying," said Erick Shambarger, Milwaukee's director of environmental sustainability.
The project contributes to the city's Environmental Collaboration Office's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
