Solar permitting — Buffalo County, Wisconsin

Setbacks & buffers

Wisconsin sets NO statewide numeric setback for utility-scale solar. A facility of 100 MW or greater needs a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the PSC (s. 196.491(3)(a)1.); below that threshold, PSC approval is generally required only for a public utility and does not address siting. Local restrictions are constrained by s. 66.0401(1m), which bars a political subdivision from restricting a solar energy system unless the restriction protects public health or safety, does not significantly increase cost or decrease efficiency, or allows a comparable alternative — and Ecker Brothers v. Calumet County, 2009 WI App 112, holds that this requires a case-by-case approach rather than a one-size-fits-all ordinance. In practice setbacks are set per project in local operating or joint development agreements — NOTE: the distances above are a STATE-level fallback, not a figure read from this county's own ordinance. We hold siting-rule records for this county which may include a stricter local limit we have not yet extracted. Verify against the county's own ordinance before relying on these.

Spacing requirements

None codified.

Size restrictions

None codified; managed via CUP/SUP conditions

Penalties & bonding

No penalties or adjustments. Standard CUP/SUP process.

State-level permits & approvals

PSC of Wisconsin has siting authority for wind/solar ≥100 MW (Wis. Stat. §196.491). Projects <100 MW: local CUP/SUP under county/town zoning governs. Local restrictions on wind systems must meet one of 3 conditions: (1) public health/safety; (2) not significantly increase cost/decrease efficiency; (3) allows comparable alternative. Local solar restrictions face similar reasonableness standard. No statewide preemption below 100 MW threshold — strong local control. MISO interconnection territory statewide.

State incentive programs

Wisconsin RPS: 10% renewable by 2015 (met — weakest in region). Focus on Energy program: commercial/industrial rebates for solar ($150-450/kW for ≤25 kW). Property tax exemption: Wis. Stat. §70.111(18) — solar systems exempt from property tax assessment. Sales tax exemption: Wis. Stat. §77.54(57m) — solar equipment purchases exempt. Wisconsin Green Energy program: voluntary renewable program through WPS, MGE, We Energies. Alliant WPL (WI) has deployed ~1,089 MW solar by 2024; Vista Sands (1,315 MW Portage Co.) approved June 2025 — largest WI solar project. Utility: We Energies (WEC) serves SE WI/Milwaukee; WPS (WEC) serves NE WI; Alliant Energy (WPL) serves central/southern WI; MGE serves Madison metro; Xcel NSPW serves far NW WI; Dairyland Power Coop and WPPI Energy serve rural areas.

Grid & interconnection

MISO / Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) zone

• 2026-05-01 Other

  Data Center

  The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Data Center A, allowing it to be built in an industrial zoning district.

  agenda
• 2026-04-06 Other

  Solar

  Buffalo County is considering an amendment to its solar ordinance to add a decommissioning/demolition requirement for new solar systems.

  agenda
• 2026-04-02 Other

  Solar

  Amendments were made to several ordinances, including the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, to add data centers to conditional use industrial zoning and clarify nonconforming lot use.

  agenda
• 2026-03-23 Other

  Solar

  Review and potential amendment of the Buffalo County Solar Ordinance

  agenda
• 2026-03-23 Other

  Solar

  Buffalo County Board of Supervisors adopted amendments to the Buffalo County Solar Ordinance.

  agenda
• 2026-03-23 Zoning Board

  Data Center

  The county discussed the definition of various structures, including data centers, day care facilities, and decks.

  agenda
• 2026-03-23 Other

  Solar

  Buffalo County discussed an amendment to the 'Buffalo County Solar Ordinance' regarding decommissioning of new solar systems.

  agenda
• 2026-03-13 Other

  Solar

  Buffalo County Board of Supervisors will consider adopting proposed amendments to the Buffalo County Solar Ordinance.

  agenda
• 2026-03-13 Other

  Solar

  Review of GIS/LIO Report

  agenda
• 2026-03-13 Other

  Solar

  Amendments were made to several ordinances, including the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, to add data centers to conditional use industrial zoning and clarify nonconforming lot use.

  agenda