Town of Auburn Approves Solar Energy Project

Town of Auburn residents packed the Town Hall on Monday, June 16, to express their feelings to the Plan Commission regarding a proposed 30-acre, six megawatt, ground-mounted solar energy project via special exception permit by OneEnergy Renewables on the Beck family farm, west of County Trunk Highway V and north of Century Drive.
The Beck family did not speak during the meeting, but wrote, “As a family-owned farm, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We have dedicated our lives to this land, working tirelessly to uphold the traditions and values that have kept our farm thriving for generations. By installing solar panels, we’re not only securing a cleaner energy future, but also creating a reliable source of income as we grow older. This investment allows us to maintain our independence, continue caring for the farm, and ensure its legacy for the next generation. Solar power is more than just an upgrade-it’s a commitment to our family, our farm, and a more sustainable tomorrow.”
Associate Julie Gerits, Manager Peter Murphy, and Manager Nolan Stumpf with the OneEnergy Renewables Project Development Team were in attendance, as well. They started the meeting with a presentation and stayed to answer and address questions and concerns from residents.
“OneEnergy is an independent developer of community-scale energy projects,” stated Gerits. “Our Madison office develops, engineers, constructs, and operates projects throughout the Midwest.”
Gerits continued, “As a Public Benefit Corporation, we pursue public benefit and operate in a responsible and sustainable manner, in addition to traditional business objectives.”

OneEnergy has constructed 55 projects over the last six years, with seven in Wisconsin in 2024.
In a handout, they wrote about the sustainable design and construction details specific to the proposed Campbellsport project.
“The area beneath and around the panels will be planted to a low-growing perennial pollinator mix. This increases water infiltration relative to conventional row-cropping. Water that flows off solar panels is safe for people and wildlife.
“The project area will be fenced within an eight foot tall deer-exclusion style fence, similar to what one might find around an orchard. The area surrounding the project will continue to be farmed.
“When the project is decommissioned, all infrastructure will be removed, and the site restored to pre-development conditions for continued agricultural use with rested and restored soils.”
Additional details on the project include that the project will produce enough electricity to power around 1,400 homes on average in Wisconsin, and it will connect to three-phase distribution lines along Hwy V.
Following OneEnergy’s presentation, the Commission opened the meeting up for public comment.
Rebecca Bartoli was the first to make a statement saying, “... I know that this process has been frustrating for many of the residents. As I have heard so many times over, many didn’t even know this was happening. It affects their communities as a whole, as it will change their landscapes. Pardon. It may be someone’s land to do what they wish with, but it’s everyone’s interest when it affects the aesthetic of their community and their property values.”
She continued, “OneEnergy Renewables has no intent to provide subsidies per the informational meeting. Out of all of their installations that they showed you for the state of Wisconsin, I do believe only one is surrounded by residential area. There aren’t any current studies for the state of Wisconsin to demonstrate that there isn’t a decline in property values.”
She concluded her comment by presenting the Commission with a petition opposing the project with 394 signatures.
Her reference to the community being concerned with the aesthetic was another major concern for other citizens.
Ken Kuhn expressed his concern over property values and the Commission responded by saying studies on large-scale systems, like the one in Brownsville, have been shown to decrease property values, but mid- to small-scale systems increase nearby property values.
OneEnergy responded to another question on the materials used in the solar panels, explaining they are made with monocrystalline, not cadmium telluride. They are bifacial panels within an aluminum frame, and the solar cells are made from silicon encased in glass.
Other comments made were related to the environmental impacts, long-term effects, the process of decommissioning projects and recovery, and on many more topics.
In the end, only five of six members voted, as one member abstained, which resulted in the approval of the project with a 3-2 vote.