MGE Partners with City and School District on Proposed Solar Project

Our utility subsidiary, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), is seeking regulatory approval of an agreement to partner with the City of Madison and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) on an 8-megawatt (MW) solar array in Madison.

"We have partnered with the City of Madison and the school district on a number of projects over the years. This new solar partnership, which provides another source of locally generated clean energy, is another step toward our shared energy goals," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "Another 8 megawatts of locally generated, cost-effective, carbon-free energy on our electric grid will help MGE achieve our goal of net-zero carbon electricity for all customers by 2050."

The solar array will consist of about 28,000 solar panels and will cover approximately 53 acres of land north of Dane County's Rodefeld Landfill in southeast Madison. If approved, the project will be developed by NextEra Energy Resources Development, LLC.
 
The City will take 5 MW of the output and the school district will take 3 MW of the output under Renewable Energy Rider (RER) agreements with MGE. If approved, the solar array is expected to begin generating electricity by the end of 2021.
 

MGE's Renewable Energy Rider 

The City and school district have entered into separate RER agreements, subject to regulatory approval, with MGE. MGE's RER enables MGE and a large energy user to partner and 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 any distribution costs to deliver energy to the customer. The innovative model grows clean energy in our community.
 

Net-zero carbon goal

MGE expects to achieve carbon reductions of 65% by 2030, exceeding its Energy 2030 goal of a 40% reduction by 2030. If MGE can go further faster in reducing carbon emissions, it will. To reach its carbon reduction goals, MGE is growing its use of renewable energy, engaging customers around energy efficiency and facilitating the electrification of transportation, all of which are key strategies identified by the United States for achieving deep decarbonization.