Waukesha plan commission approves ground-mounted solar array at 2101 Airport Road

The Waukesha City Plan Commission on May 28 unanimously approved a final site plan and architectural review to install a ground-mounted solar array at 2101 Airport Road.

Staff said the proposal from Watts Up Engineering would place six rows of 60 panels (360 panels total) on the rear half of the lot south of Northview Road. The panel array will occupy about 24,000 square feet, measuring roughly 97 feet by about 250 feet, with a maximum height of about 10 feet. The surface underneath and between the panels will be covered with a dustless gravel to reduce maintenance and to increase reflection, which staff said improves generation from the undersides of the panels.

Charlie, a staff presenter, told the commission the project includes an underground service from the array to the building and shown meter/inverter disconnect locations. He also said the plan shows additional transformer equipment on the north side of the building. “Staff recommends approval of site plan and architecture review for the proposed solar array at 2101,” Charlie said, with the condition that all engineering department comments be addressed.

Commission members had no outstanding technical objections on setbacks or visibility; presenters noted the site is in an industrial/warehouse area with limited public visibility. The commission motion to approve, made during the meeting, passed unanimously.

The approval is limited to the site plan and architectural review; engineering department comments must be resolved before permits are issued. The project will be installed on the rear green area of the parcel and oriented south to optimize solar collection.

A record of the commission roll call at the start of the meeting listed Jennifer Wallner, Wells, Moulson, Frank Coeur, Riley and Monteo as present; the final motion passed unanimously.