Solar  -  January 4, 2021

Madison plans 8 MW solar array to power municipal operations

The City of Madison and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) in Wisconsin announced Dec. 30 that they are embarking on a joint project to develop an 8 MW solar array in the city.

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for approval of an agreement to partner with the city and school district. If the project is approved, it will have the capacity to generate nearly 20% of the city’s electricity needs.

“MMSD is being very intentional about our commitment to renewable energy, with goals to meet 50% of all District operations' energy needs with renewable energy by 2030, 75% by 2035 and 100% by 2040,” MMSD Superintendent Dr. Carlton D. Jenkins said in a statement. “We cannot do this alone, and we thank the City of Madison and MGE for their partnership, and for the opportunity to come together to work collaboratively in achieving a common goal, to mitigate climate change and ensure a healthier environment for our students and community.”

The City of Madison is also pursuing a goal of powering municipal operations with renewable energy by 2030. Under the agreement, the city will take 5 MW and MMSD will take 3 MW from the 28,000-panel project under Renewable Energy Rider agreements with MGE.

If approved, the project will be developed in southeast Madison by NextEra Energy Resources Development and should begin operations by the end of 2021.

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