By Blake Jackson
The UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation will present two seminars on solar contracts in August 2024, aimed at helping farmers and rural landowners navigate the complexities of solar energy agreements.
The events will take place on August 20, 2024, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at AgCountry Farm Credit in Marshfield, WI, and on August 21, 2024, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation in Madison, WI.
These seminars come at a time when Wisconsin is seeing a significant increase in large-scale solar developments, with 33 projects currently in place or under development across 21 counties.
Among these, 13 include battery storage. As developers approach farmers and landowners to secure land leases or purchase options, many are uncertain about the contracting process and what questions to ask.
Kelly T. Wilfert, an attorney and Farm Law Outreach Specialist with the Extension’s Farm Management Program, will lead the discussion.
She, along with Bill Oemichen, a Professor of Practice-Law and attorney with the Extension’s Local Government Education Program, will cover essential topics such as risks and opportunities in solar contracts, common terminology, and key considerations.
Sherrie Gruder, a Distinguished Sustainable Design & Energy Specialist with the Extension, will also provide insights into the current state of solar energy in Wisconsin.
These workshops are part of a broader statewide Extension initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program, designed to engage Wisconsin communities in large-scale renewable energy development.
For further details, contact Kelly T. Wilfert at kelly.wilfert@wisc.edu or 608-263-5798.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Wisconsin, Education, Energy