Another solar energy project looks likely; 26 acres, town of Barron

The Barron Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a solar project on 26 acres west of Barron after a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The 5-megawatt solar energy project is being proposed on farmland owned by Lynn R. and Barbara M. Peterson just south of Hwy. 8 and east of 13th Street. The project, called the Bjorn Solar Project, would be developed by Stag Moose Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of Madison-based OneEnergy Development. Power would be supplied to local customers through Barron Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power.

OneEnergy had previously proposed a similar project on 40 acres about a mile further south, along 12th Avenue. However, those property owners ultimately changed their minds on the deal, and OneEnergy elected to look elsewhere.

Beth Esser, representing OneEnergy, said that solar facilities of this size are desirable to utilities to help offset periods of peak demand in summertime.

“Utilities are facing, for the first time in a long time, more demand,” said Esser.

After a long period of fairly flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption grew by about two percent in 2024, and forecasts expect similar growth in 2025‐2026, according to the American Public Power Assn. This is due in part to rising demands from things like data and computing facilities, electric cars and heat pumps.

Prior to the Planning Commission discussion, two nearby landowners spoke during the public hearing.

Fran Byerly, a property owner to the west of the project, said that for half the year when foliage is not on trees, solar panels will be in view from his home. He also expressed dismay for the loss of farmland.

“To see good land removed from production agriculture is wrong, it’s just wrong,” Byerly said.

Property owner Lynn Peterson responded, “That is the poorest chunk of land we own. Before we put in buffer strips, it eroded badly.”

Peterson added that the panels would be placed on the part of his property as far as possible from other landowners.

Another neighbor, Jeff Porter, asked if the solar project could be expanded on to other acres in future years.

Esser said OneEnergy’s agreement with Dairyland Power limits the size of the project to the proposed 26 acres.

The solar field will be connected to the power grid from its northeast point to a three-phase power line in the vicinity of Rolling Oaks Golf Course.

The matter came before the Planning Commission because the project lies within its 1.5-mile extraterritorial zoning radius.

However, City Administrator Liz Jacobson said that the City has limited authority over utility projects. The City can only place limitations based on risks to public health and safety, and contingencies cannot be so severe as to limit the efficiency of the project or increase its cost.

“There is very little a municipality can do to change a project of this nature,” said Jacobson.

The Town of Barron and Barron County will also have limited say in the project, with the bulk of regulations being up to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.

The facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 1,200 average Wisconsin homes—nearly matching the number of households in the City of Barron.

Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026 and take about six months, with completion expected by the end of that year. At peak, 30 workers may be on-site, but once operational, the project will be monitored remotely and require only minimal monthly maintenance visits, according to OneEnergy.

The design includes single-axis tracking bifacial panels, inverters and transformers, all surrounded by an 8-foot agricultural-style fence.

Braeden Dumond, representing OneEnergy, said that glare from the panels will be minimal because they will be tracking the sun, and therefore, reflecting light straight back. Additionally, the tempered glass will have an anti-glare coating.

Dumond said that the panels are made in Indonesia and have the ability to collect the sun’s energy with 24 percent efficiency.

“It may sound low, but that is really amazing technology,” he said.

No battery storage is planned for the site, and if OneEnergy wanted to add that capacity, it would need to go through a separate approval process, said Dumond.

The site will be seeded with a pollinator-friendly mix or possibly used for sheep grazing, he said.

Environmental studies—including wetland delineations and endangered species reviews—have found no significant natural resource impacts. When the project reaches the end of its 30- to 40-year lifespan, all equipment will be removed and the land restored for agricultural use, according to OneEnergy.

OneEnergy has developed 55 solar projects across Wisconsin and neighboring states.