Airport Solar Project Receives Regulatory Approval
An estimated two million travelers each year pass through Dane County Regional Airport, which will host on land nearby about 31,000 solar panels that will be visible from the sky.
In late April, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) received approval from Wisconsin regulators on an agreement to partner with Dane County for a 9-megawatt solar array near the Dane County Regional Airport. This will be the largest solar project in Dane County and will be the largest in the state built for a single customer.
"Clean energy is important to MGE, to Dane County, and to many who live and work here. We support the County's clean energy goals and are excited to partner on this project to add more locally generated renewable energy," said MGE Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler. "Partnerships like this will help MGE achieve net-zero carbon electricity for all of our customers by 2050."
The solar array will consist of about 31,000 solar panels and will cover 58 acres of County-owned land north of the airport. Dane County will lease the land to MGE. MGE will construct and own the array and sell the energy to Dane County. The array is expected to begin generating electricity by the end of the year.
Renewable Energy Rider
MGE is building this solar array under the company's Renewable Energy Rider (RER) program. Under an RER agreement, MGE partners with a large energy user to tailor a renewable energy solution to meet that customer's energy needs. RER customers are responsible for costs associated with the renewable generation facility and for any distribution costs to deliver energy to the customer. The innovative model grows clean energy in our community.