Local solar boom part of larger trend; two new area sites announced

This solar farm on Alliant's Rock River energy campus in the town of Beloit produces 2.3 megawatts. Alliant does not own the farm but buys all its power for Alliant customers. Alliant plans several other solar farms for the area, part of a nationwide boom in solar energy.

Solar power is busting out all over.

Fields of solar collectors are set to spring up across Rock and surrounding counties in the near future, helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Alliant Energy said this week it plans to build two new solar farms, one west of Beloit and one north of Brodhead. They would start producing electricity by the end of 2023.