Bear Creek Solar

Aerial view of the Bear Creek Solar Project in Lone Rock Wisconsin showing the full layout of the utility scale solar array.

COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

Bear Creek Solar

Sauk County

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Lone Rock, WI

CLIENT

Burns & MacDonald

ENGINEER/ARCHITECT

Burns & MacDonald

SIZE

65 MWDC
Aerial view of the Bear Creek Solar Project in Lone Rock Wisconsin showing the full layout of the utility scale solar array.

The Bear Creek Solar Project brings 65 MWDC of renewable energy to the Lone Rock area and spans a diverse landscape that required thoughtful construction planning. Working alongside Burns & McDonnell, Westphal & Company completed all electrical installation activities across the site, including DC and AC cabling, equipment installation and system terminations. The team managed both underground and above-ground conductor routes, ensuring proper installation even in areas with varied terrain.

Westphal’s crews also installed and terminated central inverters, control wiring and SCADA fiber, and completed the final connections needed to integrate the system with the transformers, protection relays and control equipment. The scale and site conditions required precise coordination to maintain quality and reliability throughout construction.

Key Project Highlights

  • 65 MWDC large-scale solar development
  • Electrical installation delivered by Westphal & Company
  • Constructed in partnership with Burns & McDonnell
  • Extensive underground and above-ground cabling work
  • Built across a diverse site footprint in Lone Rock

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Beaver Dam Solar

Aerial view of the Beaver Dam Solar Project showing large utility scale panel fields across the site in Beaver Dam Wisconsin.

COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

Beaver Dam Solar

Dodge County

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Beaver Dam, WI

CLIENT

Burns & MacDonald

ENGINEER/ARCHITECT

Burns & MacDonald

SIZE

64.2 MWDC
Aerial view of the Beaver Dam Solar Project showing large utility scale panel fields across the site in Beaver Dam Wisconsin.

At 64.2 MWDC, the Beaver Dam Solar Project represents one of the larger utility-scale solar installations in the region. Working with Burns & McDonnell, Westphal & Company delivered the complete electrical installation across the expansive site. This included installing DC and AC cabling, routing underground and above-ground conductors, setting combiner boxes and sectionalizing cabinets, and completing all equipment terminations, testing and documentation.

The size of the Beaver Dam project required strong coordination and sequencing to maintain efficiency across such a large footprint. Westphal’s crews supported the integration of central inverters, SCADA fiber connections, control wiring and final connections to power transformers, protection relays and control panels, ensuring the system was configured for reliable long-term output.

Key Project Highlights

  • 64.2 MWDC utility-scale solar installation
  • Full electrical scope delivered by Westphal & Company
  • Partnership with Burns & McDonnell
  • Extensive underground and above-ground conductor routing
  • Central inverter and SCADA system integration

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Hackbarth Solar

Aerial view of the utility scale solar array in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin.

COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

Hackbarth Solar

Jefferson County

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Fort Atkinson, WI

CLIENT

OneEnergy Renewable

ENGINEER/ARCHITECT

OneEnergy Renewables

SIZE

5.7 MWDC
Aerial view of the utility scale solar array in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin.
Ground level view of solar panels on a tracking system at the Fort Atkinson solar site.
Westphal and Company solar construction crew at the Fort Atkinson solar project site.

Hackbarth Solar is a 5.7 MWDC installation located just north of Fort Atkinson along Highway 26. Developed by OneEnergy Renewables, the project features a layout built around string inverters feeding transformers near the north entrance of the site. As the installation contractor, Westphal & Company executed the full electrical scope and coordinated closely with the developer to support the project’s construction timeline and site requirements.

The location, visible from Highway 26, required efficient staging, careful safety planning and clear coordination across trades to ensure steady progress in a high-traffic area. Westphal delivered the full electrical installation required to bring the array online and ready for long-term operation.

Key Project Highlights

  • 5.7 MWDC utility-scale array developed by OneEnergy Renewables
  • String-inverter configuration with transformers positioned at the north entrance
  • Full electrical installation completed by Westphal & Company
  • Located adjacent to Highway 26 in Fort Atkinson
  • Supports regional commercial solar development

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Strix Solar

Aerial view of the Strix Solar 7.2 MWDC solar farm in Fitchburg, Wisconsin

COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

Strix Solar

Dane County

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Fitchburg, WI

CLIENT

OneEnergy Renewables

Project Schedule

March 2024 - December 2024

The Strix Solar Project delivers 7.2 MWDC of renewable energy to the Fitchburg community and supports OneEnergy Renewables’ continued investment in Wisconsin’s clean energy landscape. As the construction partner, Westphal & Company oversaw the full buildout of the site, coordinating electrical installation activities and ensuring a smooth path from field mobilization to final system readiness. The project ran from March through December 2024 and reflects a collaborative approach to large-scale solar delivery within a growing region.

Strix required careful integration of equipment across the array to support long-term system performance. Westphal’s crews ensured that all electrical components were installed to meet the developer’s specifications and to support reliable operation within the local grid.

Key Project Highlights

  • 7.2 MWDC utility-scale solar installation
  • Full construction services delivered by Westphal & Company
  • Partnership with OneEnergy Renewables
  • Completed March–December 2024
  • Supports expanded renewable energy capacity in Fitchburg

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University of Wisconsin Kegonsa Solar Array

Aerial view of full UW Kegonsa Solar Array surrounded by farmland and research buildings

COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

University of Wisconsin-kegonsa solar array

Dane County

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Dunn, WI

CLIENT

University of Wisconsin

GC

SunVest Solar, LLC

Project Schedule

7/1/2024-3/1/2025
Aerial view of full UW Kegonsa Solar Array surrounded by farmland and research buildings
Students in safety gear touring agrivoltaic solar site near measurement tower
Students touring flexible solar tracker array and meteorological tower
Westphal & Company truck parked near inverter equipment at UW Kegonsa solar site
Aerial view of single axis solar tracking array at UW Kegonsa Solar Project
Elevated solar array structure with wide interrow spacing and vegetation
Overhead view of fixed tilt solar array at UW Kegonsa Solar Project

The UW Kegonsa Solar Array is a first-of-its-kind solar energy installation in Wisconsin, designed to support innovative research in agrivoltaics—the dual use of land for solar power generation and agricultural production. Located near UW Madison, the ground mount solar array was developed to help researchers evaluate the environmental impact and performance of solar arrays surrounded by a variety of plant species.

Westphal & Company provided full solar construction services for this unique renewable energy project, installing three distinct types of solar arrays across the site to support comparative research:

  • Fixed Axis Array
    This system includes 4,800 Heliene 530-watt solar modules, producing 2.54 MW DC and 2.0 MW AC. Mounted on DCI Racking at a 25° tilt, the fixed array features varied row spacing and embedment depths to accommodate plant diversity beneath and around the panels.

  • Single Axis Tracking Array
    Designed for optimal energy production, this 254.4 kW DC system includes 480 solar modules mounted on Array Technologies single axis trackers. It also features a 200 kW Solectria XGI inverter to convert solar power efficiently to AC.

  • Elevated Array
    With 144 solar panels elevated to allow for vegetation and instrumentation below, this 76.32 kW DC system supports advanced albedo monitoring and agrivoltaic research. The elevated racking provides 7’5” of ground clearance for flexibility in land use.

In total, the site includes 5,424 Heliene solar panels generating 2.87 MW DC and 2.25 MW AC, supported by Solectria inverters, ISU Volt Combiner Boxes, and an AlsoEnergy data acquisition system (DAS) for monitoring system performance.

The UW Kegonsa Solar Array stands as a model for future solar installations in Wisconsin and across the Midwest, advancing the understanding of how solar farms and agriculture can work hand in hand to create a more sustainable future.

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Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra

COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra

Madison, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Madison, WI

CLIENT

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra

GC

JH Findorff

Project Schedule

2/1/2023 - 12/4/2023
WYSO FINAL
Percussion Rehearsal Space 2
Rehearsal Space
Percussion Rehearsal Space
diffuseable Glass Windows- diffused
Diffuseable Glass windows - clear
Westphal & Company provided a full electrical scope for new Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO) building in Madison. Limited space for the jobsite necssitated a defined material tracking schedule. Keeping material deliveries organized to meet the on-site installation schedule was crucial to the project success. Westphal & Company was able to maintain sound reduction requirements using flexible metal conduit between isolated walls, floors and the non-isolated structure. No equipment or materials are mechanically fastened to the building structure to avoid any potential vibration or noise transmission. Double wall construction throughout the facility provided challenges for conduit, fixture and gear routes.  In place of curtains, one rehearsal space uses light diffusing window films controlled by an electrical switch.  WYSO is an amazing structure and provides rooms specific  to each discipline of orchestral composition.  

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Wood County Battery Energy Storage System

BESS PORTFOLIO

Wood County Battery Energy Storage System

Wood County, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Wood County

CLIENT

Alliant Energy

GC

J.P. Cullen

Project Schedule

3/30/24 – 2/28/25
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Wood County BESS is a 96 battery, 300 MWh installation adjacent to the 150 MW Alliant Energy Wood County Solar Installation and a new substation to receive battery stored power. Stored electricity can support 80,000 residential homes for four hours. Electricity from the BESS is fed into the adjacent substation. Stored energy can then be used to alleviate or lessen sharp power demands in Alliant’s utility grid network. Wood and Grant County are the first large, utility-scale battery storage installations in Wisconsin. The electrical scope of Wood County covers 80% of the project. 

Battery Details

  • 96 (CATL) (3 MWh) Lithium-ion batteries.
  • Each battery weighs 80,000 pounds.
  • Ambient temperatures require self-contained heating and cooling.
  • Equipped with fire detection and fire suppression.
  • Power export generates heat – integrated HVAC system cools/heats.
  • Redundant power support from 2nd substation 6 miles away.

Preconstruction

Extensive preconstruction meetings/planning to organize/plan build and develop schedule. Over 40,000’ of PVC conduits are set in compacted sand. Vertical pipe sets were built in prefab, trucked and placed at site using Total Station. 38,000’ of 4/0 copper grounding wire was buried throughout the site.

BIM Layouts

BIM layouts for conduits provide Prefab the opportunity to build, rack and load large amounts of conduits to the site in ready-to-install packages. On-site total station placed the conduit racks in the exact location. Changes were made, but these were due to engineering gaps and inaccurate equipment drawings.

Construction

The site was bath-tubbed. Sand from the site was filtered, replaced and compacted at 8” levels for structural integrity of battery slabs.

  • 210,000 feet of cable
  • 41,500’ PVC conduit
  • 28,000’ 4/0 Ground Wire connected to 10 – 100’ deep wells for effective ground

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Sun Prairie West High School Solar

SOLAR PORTFOLIO

Sun Prairie West High School Solar

Sun Prairie, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Sun Prairie, WI

CLIENT

Sun Prairie School District

ARCHITECT

N/A

SIZE (MW DC)

N/A
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SPWHS_2

The state of the art Sun Prairie West High School is truly a building of the future with a ballasted roof solar array. The racking system requires no mechanical attachments to the roof, which means minimal roof penetrations. 712 Heliene 400 watt solar modules cover two roof areas. Three SolarEdge inverters, located in the electrical room, feed solar generated energy directly into the schools electrical system.

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Baraboo High School Solar

SOLAR PORTFOLIO

Baraboo high School Solar

Baraboo, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Baraboo, WI

CLIENT

Baraboo School District

ARCHITECT

N/A

SIZE (MW DC)

140
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A 140 kW ballasted solar array was completed at Baraboo High School in 2022. The solar array offsets electrical usage by the high school and provides real-time production information that shows students the value of renewable energy.

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Madison West High School Solar

Aerial view of rooftop solar panels installed across multiple sections of a commercial building roof.

SOLAR PORTFOLIO

Madison West High School Solar

Madison, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Madison, WI

CLIENT

Madison Metropolitan School District

ARCHITECT

N/A

KW SIZE

247
Aerial view of rooftop solar panels installed across multiple sections of a commercial building roof.
Close aerial view of rooftop solar panels with electrical conduit routed from the array to building systems.
Wall mounted solar inverters and electrical equipment connected to a rooftop solar array on a brick building.

Madison West High School Project Overview

Madison West High School completed a phased rooftop solar expansion to support long-term energy efficiency and campus improvements. In 2021, two aging systems, a small solar electric array and an existing solar hot water system, were removed to make way for a new 124 kW ballasted rooftop solar array. Due to existing building conditions, conduit routing required careful coordination, with pathways running through multiple maintenance closets before tying into the main electrical room.

In 2024, a second 123 kW rooftop solar array was added as part of the school’s pool and gym addition. This phase was connected to a newly installed electrical service dedicated to the expanded facilities, ensuring the solar system aligned seamlessly with the building’s upgraded infrastructure. Together, the two arrays significantly increase on-site renewable energy generation while supporting Madison West High School’s broader sustainability goals.

Key Project Details

  • Removal of legacy solar electric and solar hot water systems
  • Installation of a 124 kW ballasted rooftop solar array in 2021
  • Complex conduit routing through existing maintenance spaces to the electrical room
  • Installation of a second 123 kW rooftop solar array in 2024
  • Integration with a new electrical service for the pool and gym addition
  • Support of on-site renewable energy generation for a K–12 education facility

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Dane County Operations Center Solar

SOLAR PORTFOLIO

Dane County Operations Center Solar

Madison, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Madison, WI

CLIENT

Dane County

ARCHITECT

N/A

Size (MW DC)

N/A
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Dane County Operations uses solar power to supply maintenance and materials for Dane County lakes and parks. 98 solar panels are attached to the garage roof. Three SolarEdge 14.4 kW, 208 volt interters are mounted on a custom uni-strut rack built near the electrical switchgear. Westphal was selected as the installation contractor through an RFP process.

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Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center Solar

SOLAR PORTFOLIO

Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center Solar

Windsor, WI

SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION

Windsor, WI

CLIENT

Dane County

ARCHITECT

N/A

Size (MW DC)

N/A
dane-law-enf-solar_2
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dane-law-enf-solar_4

84 Solar modules are attached to the standing seam roof of the Law Enforcement Training Center. Ironridge flush-mounted racking using S5! Standing seam attachment clips eliminate the need for any roof penetrations. Three SolarEdge HD Wave inverters convert solar generated DC electricity to usable AC power.

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