American Family Insurance

Project Description

To meet internal green initiatives, American Family Insurance proposed a solar array on a portion of their campus located in Madison, Wisconsin. Another company was initially hired to design and permit the ground solar array. The initial company ran into permitting problems when submitting documents to the City of Madison for approval. Due to these permitting challenges, American Family Insurance reached out to Ruekert & Mielke (R/M) to solve the problem and finish the project.

R/M was brought on to the project due to our reputation with American Family Insurance and long history of approvals in the City of Madison. The organization had no doubt that we would persevere and find a solution that both sides would find agreeable. As experts in the permitting process, our team understood where the City found faults and where negotiations would need to be made.

R/M put together a storm water plan to meet the City’s requirements of a ground mounted solar panel array. The City approved this plan, seeing that it met the City’s requirements and negotiations.

With the assistance in permitting received from Ruekert & Mielke, American Family Insurance was able to build the solar array, leading them further toward their green initiatives.

Project Highlights

  • R/M’s relationship with the City allows for a frank discussion of project expectations and permit requirements.

  • Navigated contradictory regulations related to Solar Panel arrays and impervious surfaces.

  • Proposed a permitting path forward to ensure project completion.

Services Provided

Key members of R/M’s Madison team have been involved with many projects associated with the development of the site. Our services for this project included:

  • Permitting

  • Storm Water Planning