The Daily Reporter – WI Construction News & Bids Wisconsin's Construction Authority
We Energies plans to install around 2,000 solar panels around a retention pond at Foxconn’s Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant. (Rendering courtesy of WEC Energy Group)
In what Foxconn is calling one of the largest nonresidential solar projects in Racine County, the Taiwan-based company and We Energies announced on Friday a partnership to build 2,000 panels at the company’s campus in Mount Pleasant.
“Foxconn is committed to integrating green and sustainable practices throughout our operations to mitigate the impacts of climate change, thereby further achieving our responsibility of protecting the environment. As Foxconn’s operations in Wisconsin expand in response to market demand, the presence of renewable energy resources within the park demonstrates our commitment to environmental stewardship across the manufacturing supply chain to our customers and the community,” the company said in a statement.
In a 2018 deal orchestrated by former Gov. Scott Walker and former President Donald Trump, Foxconn was expected to receive $4.5 billion in subsidies and tax incentives to bring a $10 billion deal to Southeast Wisconsin. The Federal government was set to give Wisconsin $160 million to expand I-94 in Racine and Kenosha counties as a part of project to widen I-94. The deal was supposed to bring in more than 13,000 jobs, but Foxconn ended up not building the large facility and only brought less than 2000 jobs to the state.
Moving forward, other companies are investing in that corridor.
We Energies will install, maintain and own around 2,000 solar panels and produce one megawatt with enough energy to power 300 homes, a utility company spokesperson told The Daily Reporter. The two companies started discussing the project in 2022 and the only thing planned for the site are solar panels and related equipment, the spokesperson added.
The project will be built around a retention pond near Braun Road, the spokesperson said. Depending on approval, We Energies estimated the project will be ready in the first quarter of 2024, they added. The company is working with SunVest Solar LLC on the project.
“We’re pleased to bring more clean energy to Wisconsin through this partnership with Foxconn. As Foxconn expands its operations, this project will deliver affordable, reliable and clean energy for years to come,” WEC Energy Group Executive Chairman Gale Klappa said.
Foxconn officials said they employ over 1,000 employees who manufacture data servers and motherboards and have invested $1 billion in the state. Customers look to the company to use renewable energy throughout the manufacturing process, officials added.
Steve Schuster also contributed to this report.
