Geronimo Power Celebrates Apple River Solar Project With Community Event “Solar Summer Social”

Geronimo Power recently hosted a community event in Polk County, Wisconsin, to mark the construction progress of its Apple River Solar project. The 100-megawatt (MW) solar facility, located within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market, is expected to begin operations later in 2025. The gathering brought together local landowners, residents, project partners, and neighbors to highlight the economic and social benefits the project will bring to the region, including new tax revenues, job opportunities, and charitable contributions.

Held just after the Summer Solstice, the event offered educational experiences such as a guided tour of the construction site, allowing attendees to learn more about how large-scale solar energy systems operate. Representatives from Xcel Energy, the project’s power purchaser, and The Boldt Company, the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner, were also in attendance. Both companies emphasized the broader impact the Apple River project will have on the state’s energy transition and its support for local communities.

Jeff Ringblom, Chief Development Officer at Geronimo Power, stated, “Project host communities are the lifeblood of our projects, and I’m proud to be here today celebrating the Apple River Solar project with those who helped bring it to fruition. While we have a history of developing more than 150 MW of reliable energy across Wisconsin, we’re excited for this to be our first owned and operated project in the state. With more than $36 million expected to flow into the local and state communities from Apple River Solar, we firmly believe those dollars will result in meaningful, lasting positive impacts to Wisconsin residents and communities.”

Karl Hoesly, president, Xcel Energy- Wisconsin/ Michigan, mentioned, “We are excited to see this project begin, as the power Xcel Energy will purchase highlights our dedication to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to our customers.”

Jason Fields, Project Executive at The Boldt Company, said, “Boldt and our subcontractors were proud to employ up to 150 skilled tradespeople including laborers, carpenters, operators, electricians, and iron workers throughout the year-long construction of this project. These union jobs offered competitive wages and strong benefits, supporting both the local community and workers across Wisconsin.”

In a major philanthropic initiative announced earlier this year, Geronimo Power committed to donating $500,000 in charitable funding over the project’s first 20 years of operation. These funds will directly benefit the Amery and Clayton School Districts. During the event, a representative from the Clayton School District accepted a commemorative check, symbolizing the future support the project will provide to local education. The Apple River Solar project represents a significant investment in renewable energy for Wisconsin and reflects Geronimo Power’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and long-term regional development.