Shawano County Stalls Solar Farm Development Due to Infrastructure Limits

Officials cite lack of transmission line capacity as a major obstacle to new projects

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Plans for additional solar farm development in Shawano County, Wisconsin remain on hold as officials say there are not enough transmission lines to carry electricity from potential solar sites into the grid, making developers reluctant to move forward with new projects. County Board Chairman Tom Kautza says the pause represents a missed financial opportunity, as leasing farmland for solar could bring in significantly higher revenue compared to traditional farming.

Why it matters

The lack of transmission infrastructure to support solar development in Shawano County highlights the broader challenges many rural areas face in transitioning to renewable energy sources. Without the necessary grid upgrades, counties like Shawano may miss out on the economic benefits of solar projects, including increased tax revenue and lease payments for landowners.

The details

Kautza explained that where solar farms are built affects how revenue is distributed - if located in a township, the county receives about $1,666 in annual payments while the town receives about $333. Additional renewable energy incentive payments of roughly $1,500 per megawatt would also be shared by both the county and the township. Despite the current delay, Kautza says solar development could still provide significant long-term financial benefits if infrastructure improvements are made in the future.

  • In February 2026, plans for additional solar farm development in Shawano County remained on hold.

The players

Tom Kautza

Shawano County Board Chairman who says the lack of transmission infrastructure is a major obstacle to new solar projects.

WE Energies

The utility company that purchased an existing solar project near Bonduel in Shawano County.

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What they’re saying

“There currently are not transmission lines large enough to carry electricity from potential solar sites into the grid, making developers reluctant to move forward with new projects.”

— Tom Kautza, Shawano County Board Chairman (tchdailynews.com)

What’s next

Officials in Shawano County say they will need to work with utility companies and state regulators to upgrade the transmission infrastructure in order to enable more solar farm development in the future.

The takeaway

The challenges facing solar development in Shawano County underscore the broader need for investment in grid modernization and transmission capacity to support the growth of renewable energy, especially in rural areas where land may be available but grid infrastructure lags behind.