TAKING THE LEAD. The Chippewa Sun solar array is now providing energy to 1,300-plus homes in Hallie, as well as to The Sonnentag Center, Pablo Group, and the City of Eau Claire. (Photo via One Energy Renewables)

The City of Eau Claire has been working towards its goal to be fully carbon-neutral, operating with 100% reusable energy by 2050. This month, a significant breakthrough has been made in achieving that ambitious goal.

Xcel Energy’s Regional Vice President, Brian Elwood, said Xcel will be providing electricity through a new green, local energy source: The Chippewa Sun.

The Chippewa Sun solar array is located in the town of Hallie. The operation includes 26 acres of solar panels that will convert light energy into electricity for more than 1,300 homes in Hallie and its three subscribing partners. In Eau Claire, those three key partners include The Sonnentag Center, Pablo Group, and the City of Eau Claire.

The array is five megawatts, which is a small to medium-sized solar array, according to Elwood. The operation is set to generate 10 million kilowatt-hours per year, which will save 8.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

”

THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, WE CAN OFFSET ELECTRICITY USE AT SEVERAL CITY BUILDINGS,

including City Hall and the water treatment plant, helping us reach out renewable energy goals outlined in the Renewable Energy Action Plan.

EMILY BERGE

EAU CLAIRE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

“Discussion began with UW-Eau Claire at Sonnentag Center because they were asking us what programs we have to help them achieve their goal of making that facility 100% renewable,” Elwood said. “As we were building out that program, we approached the city of Eau Claire who we also have an agreement with, and the Pablo Group is also deeply involved in sustainability efforts throughout Eau Claire.”

After earning its gold-level green building rating in 2024, The Sonnentag Center has continued its commitment to green infrastructures. Partnering with Xcel Energy ensures their electricity is from an environmentally conscious source, helping solidify their commitment to renewable energy.

“The Sonnentag is the largest LEED Gold Certified recreational center in the nation, and it is operated by a public university,” Chancellor James Schmidt said in a recent media release.

Emily Berge, Eau Claire city council president, believes this will be a huge step forward in reaching Eau Claire’s carbon-neutral goal. “Through this partnership, we can offset electricity use at several city buildings, including City Hall and the water treatment plant, helping us reach our renewable energy goals outlined in the Renewable Energy Action Plan,” Berge said in a media release.

Alongside its Eau Claire-based partnerships, The Chippewa Sun brings additional clean energy industry leaders together, including OneEnergy Renewables, Hunt Electric, Standard Solar, and SolarShare Wisconsin Cooperative.

“OneEnergy was the initial developer of the array, but they work with the other developers who all have a different component. Standard Solar is the operator of the array, SolarShare helped acquire the land that it’s on, and Hunt Electric was one of the contractors that helped build the array,” Elwood explained. “We are proud of how the whole program came together. The project is truly illustrative of the type of collaboration it takes to reach shared sustainability goals.”

Read Xcel Energy’s full media release about The Chippewa Sun online. To learn more about the overall green initiative, Xcel Energy’s renewable energy opportunities, and more, visit Xcel Energy’s website.