By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

PLOVER — The Village of Plover Plan Commission unanimously approved plans for a conditional use permit allowing the installation of a solar array system on a local residence.

“All of our solar mounted arrays, whether it be rooftop or ground mounted, have to come through Planning Commission as a conditional use permit,” said Village Community Development Administrator Ryan Kernosky. Kernosky added: “As a side note, as part of the SolSmart Community status we are trying to obtain, we are working on easing this process so a request like this wouldn’t have to necessarily come through Planning Commission.”

Boundaries of the solar project. (Village of Plover photo)

North Wind Renewable Energy presented the request for a local client in the Elm Street area. Neighboring property owners voiced concerns about the location of the solar panels during the public hearing for the request. Kernosky assured residents that the project would stay on the south-facing roof of the property — and a separate public hearing and conditional use process would take place if plans required adjustments.

“They would, let’s say, realize it wouldn’t work on the roof system, and they wanted to do a ground mount system, we would have to go through another public hearing and conditional use process,” Kernosky explained.

Wisconsin state statutes currently regulate solar energy systems in the village and prevent Plover from placing further restrictions on solar projects. As public interest in solar energy increases, Plover is readying for the possibility of their SolSmart Community status. Officials hope to eventually truncate the solar installation process and give Plover residents an easier path to green power options.

To learn more about SolSmart and their community programs visit: https://www.solsmart.org.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at [email protected] with Portage County news and information.