Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 12:58:14 PM - by Danny Vo

Wisconsin is set to get one of its largest solar energy projects yet in the form of an education farm recently announced by Johnson Controls and Milwaukee Area Technical College.

According to Johnson Controls, the project will generate 411 kilowatts of energy on 32 acres of land and may become the first completely portable photovoltaic facility in the nation. It is also expected to provide energy savings of about $70,300 in its first year of operation.

The facility is expected to help train technicians, electricians and others to work in various areas of the renewable energy industry. The energy it generates will help to power a nearby Milwaukee Public Television transmitter.

"Trained solar technicians and engineers are vital to our energy future. We are excited to collaborate with forward thinking institutions of higher education like MATC in the training of tomorrow’s energy leaders," said Don Albinger of Johnson Controls.

About 2,500 photovoltaic panels will be generating at the facility, while also helping to develop a new generation of professionals for the solar energy industry and for the nation's need for green jobs in general.