Fort McCoy Wisconsin Opens $1.4 Million Main Gate Solar Microgrid

Maj. Gen. Joseph Ricciardi, senior commander of U.S. Army Garrison Fort McCoy, officially opened the installation’s $1.4 million Main Gate Microgrid with Battery Backup Project on May 19, 2026, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The project, the first of its kind at Fort McCoy and a pioneering effort within the Department of the Army for third-party financing of energy resilience infrastructure, pairs on-site solar panels with battery storage, according to the Directorate of Public Works.

The System

The microgrid, a Public/Private partnership between Fort McCoy and Xcel Energy Corporation, is designed to maintain power to key facilities near the Main Gate in “island mode” for a minimum of 14 days if the primary electric grid fails. The system is projected to deliver annual savings of approximately $20,000 to Fort McCoy during peak energy demand periods. Brandon Gronau served as the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works project lead throughout its development.

Why It Matters

This microgrid aligns with the 2025 Army Installations Strategy’s resilience objectives and follows the US Army Corps of Engineers’ recent $2 billion, 10-year MATOC contract awarded to 14 firms for similar projects. Fort McCoy, Wisconsin’s sole U.S. Army installation and the 88th Readiness Division’s primary mobilization platform, relies on uninterrupted Main Gate access for critical training, combat preparation, and humanitarian operations. Liane Haun, Director of the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works, stated the project “ensures that our critical operations continue without interruption, regardless of external conditions.” Maj. Gen. Joseph Ricciardi of the 88th Readiness Division described it as “a fundamental enhancement of our strategic readiness.”

Critical Perspective

Details regarding the solar panel nameplate capacity in kilowatts, the battery storage rated capacity in kilowatt-hours, the specific installation contractor, or the precise dollar breakdown of the third-party financing structure were not disclosed by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Fort McCoy has also not specified which mission-essential facilities are covered by the microgrid or the protected critical load in kilowatts. The 14-day backup duration is based on baseline critical-load demand and has not been tested against potential extended winter peak-demand scenarios in Wisconsin, which can significantly increase energy consumption due to heating requirements.

Related Coverage

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• Fort Campbell Completes 12 MW Microgrid for 101st Airborne: Fort McCoy microgrid is similar to Fort Campbell’s 12 MW microgrid
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