Burns & McDonnell is providing the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for three Alliant Energy solar projects in Wisconsin totaling 250 MW.
The projects include Bear Creek (50-MWac/64-MWdc), North Rock (50-MWac/64-MWdc) and Wood County (150-MWac/ 198-MWdc).
Burns & McDonnell will provide fully integrated EPC services for the program and self-perform the construction. In spring 2021, the team procured 1.5 million bifacial monocrystalline PV modules during a volatile panel market, helping keep the project on track.
“The ability of our team to procure the quantity of PV panels needed, in such a high-demand market, was imperative to keeping the project progress on schedule,” said Chad Cotter, director of solar EPC at Burns & McDonnell. “Our understanding of current panel market dynamics and relationships with the various suppliers allowed success during this high-demand time”
Burns & McDonnell will perform electrical design, environmental studies and permitting, civil and structural design for the PV modules, substation and transmission line scopes. The team will work to construct the projects in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and supports wetland and wildlife preservation.
AZCO, a Burns & McDonnell company, headquartered in Appleton, will perform the pile driving, equipment installation and electrical scope. AZCO will also fabricate and deliver substation steel designed by Burns & McDonnell for all three sites.
Part of the civil construction and electrical installation will be subcontracted to the local Wisconsin workforce. These projects will require an estimated 400 people for skilled labor.
Approximately 10 miles of high-voltage overhead transmission lines and substations will be designed and built by Burns & McDonnell to connect the solar facilities with existing transmission infrastructure owned by American Transmission Company.
“We’re excited to partner with Alliant Energy to help them achieve their long-term vision as we build out these solar sites”, said Doug Riedel, senior VP of renewables at Burns & McDonnell.
