How our Permitting Consultants are Creating a Legacy in Renewable Energy
By David Weetman, Director, Environmental Permitting
Across the country, Westwood permitting experts are redefining what’s possible in renewable energy. From the first utility-scale solar project in Minnesota to one of the nation’s largest solar farms in Texas, our team continues to break new ground. We help clients navigate complex regulations, accelerate approvals, and shape how clean energy is built for generations to come.
Setting Statewide Precedents in Renewable Energy
Minnesota’s First Utility-Scale Solar Project
Westwood prepared the permit application for the North Star Solar and 115kV Transmission Line Project, the first utility-scale solar project permitted in Minnesota. This 100-megawatt (MW) facility in Chisago County established a model for efficient and responsible solar permitting in the state, showcasing our ability to streamline complex regulatory processes.
First Wind Repower Projects in Minnesota
Westwood helped deliver Minnesota’s first wind repower projects—the Jeffers Wind Energy Center (50 MW) and Community Wind North (30 MW)—replacing older turbines with advanced, efficient models while maintaining output. Working closely with the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), Westwood helped define the framework for wind repowering statewide.
Wisconsin’s First 300+ MW Solar Project
Westwood played an instrumental role in preparing a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the 300 MW Badger Hollow Solar Farm. Westwood worked closely with Wisconsin state regulators as they adapted the CPCN process to solar energy for the first time. Located in Iowa County, this milestone project is one of the Midwest’s largest and has redefined solar energy potential in the region.
First Stand-Alone Battery Storage Projects in Minnesota
Westwood helped prepare the first battery-only storage permit applications for the Snowshoe and Midwater Energy Storage Projects, each with a nominal rating of up to 150 MW. The Snowshoe Project, approved August 14, 2025, marked the Minnesota Public Utility Commission’s first stand-alone battery storage permit and established templates that will guide future BESS applicants for years to come.
Powering the Nation’s Largest and Most Ambitious Projects
Texas: One of the Largest Solar Farms in the U.S.
Westwood facilitated the permitting of the Samson Solar Energy Center, a 1.3 GW solar farm located in northeast Texas, which is currently the largest in the state and among the largest in the country. Westwood’s environmental team provided expertise in wetlands, cultural resources, and permitting compliance, ensuring the project’s smooth progression. Expected to power 300,000 homes, Samson represents a landmark in renewable energy development.
Pioneering Projects that Changed the Industry
First Cross-Border Wind Project in the Dakotas
The Tatanka Wind Farm set several national firsts as the first wind project to span state borders in North and South Dakota and the first in McPherson County, South Dakota. Completed in 2008, this 120-turbine, 14,000-acre project was also ACCIONA’s first large-scale U.S. venture, marking a major step in the evolution of American wind energy.
Shaping Policy and Practice
Navigating Michigan’s PA 233
Westwood continues to lead as Michigan’s regulatory landscape evolves. By aligning closely with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), our permitting experts are proactively guiding clients through PA 233 changes for wind and solar projects, ensuring readiness as the state defines new permitting pathways.
Pioneering Distributed Solar in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, Westwood is supporting the rise of distributed solar by preparing conditional use permits for net-metered solar projects across multiple counties and achieving at least five first-ever permits. As communities embrace local renewable energy, Westwood’s deep understanding of county-level permitting processes helps accelerate deployment and adoption.
Defining the Future of Environmental Permitting
From first-in-state projects to record-setting national installations, Westwood continues to shape the renewable energy landscape. Our permitting teams don’t just navigate new laws - they help write the playbook for how renewable energy moves forward.
When your project breaks new ground, you want a partner who’s done it before. Connect with our team to learn more about our permitting services and capabilities. Let’s build what’s next together.
