Electric facilities with a generating capacity of 100 megawatts or more need a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and do not need to be approved by local municipalities. That applies to all such projects, whether they generate electricity using solar, wind, natural gas or coal.

Renewable energy projects smaller than 100 megawatts do need local approval, and some small power plant projects may need a certificate of authority from the state. In 2009, Wisconsin passed a law that prevents municipalities from placing restrictions on wind projects that are more restrictive than PSC rules, with a few exceptions.

A new bill would require solar or wind projects producing 15 megawatts or more to get approval from each city, village and town in which the project is located. The PSC would not be able to approve solar or wind projects without local approvals.