Solar Partnership with Dane County Moves Forward

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) and Dane County plan to partner to build a 9-megawatt solar array near the Dane County Regional Airport. The proposed array, first announced in fall 2018, will be the largest solar project in Dane County. It will span 58 acres and consist of more than 31,000 solar panels.

MGE Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler joined Dane County Executive Joe Parisi in early September at the airport for an update on the proposed project, which will be built under a Renewable Energy Rider (RER) agreement between MGE and the county. MGE will own the solar infrastructure, lease the land at the airport from Dane County and sell the energy to the county.

The RER provides MGE and large energy users, like the county, the opportunity to partner and tailor a renewable energy solution to meet a customer's needs. The innovative model is one way to grow renewable energy in our service territory.

If approved by the Dane County Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, construction is expected to begin in 2020 with commercial operation expected in fall 2020. The county estimates the solar project will produce about 40% of the electricity needed to power county-owned facilities.