Plans Announced for More Wind and Solar
MGE is seeking approval to purchase shares of seven new projects.
Strix Solar, a 6-MW array in Fitchburg, is nearing completion and is expected online by the end of the year.
Strix Solar, a 6-MW array in Fitchburg, is nearing completion and is expected online by the end of the year.
MGE's ongoing transition toward cleaner energy took another step this fall with plans to purchase shares of seven new wind and solar projects. Growing our use of renewable energy is one of MGE's strategies for achieving net-zero carbon electricity.
If approved by State regulators, the facilities will provide more than 84 megawatts (MW) of renewable capacity to serve MGE customers. That's enough clean energy to power more than 30,000 typical households.
The projects include:
- Badger Hollow Wind Farm: 11.2 MW of wind in Iowa and Grant counties.
- Dawn Harvest Solar Energy Center: 15 MW of solar in Rock County.
- Good Oak Solar Farm: 9.8 MW of solar in Columbia County.
- Gristmill Solar Farm: 6.7 MW of solar in Columbia County.
- Saratoga Solar Energy Center: 15 MW of solar and 5 MW of battery storage in Wood County.
- Ursa Solar Park: 20 MW of solar in Columbia County.
- Whitetail Wind Farm: 6.7 MW of wind in Grant County.
Two new projects coming online
Construction is nearing completion on Strix Solar, a 6-MW array in Fitchburg, and on the Paris Solar-Battery Park, a 200-MW solar park in the town of Paris in Kenosha County. MGE will own 20 MW of solar capacity from the project and 11 MW of battery storage, which is expected online in 2025.
Construction continues at the Darien Solar Energy Center in Rock and Walworth counties. MGE will own 10% of the 250-MW solar park.
All these new facilities and other proposed projects will help MGE achieve our carbon reduction goals. MGE already is about halfway to our goal of at least 80% fewer carbon emissions by 2030. Visit mge.com/solar to learn more about our upcoming and proposed projects.
Solar grazing at MGE's Tyto Solar
Watch the latest video from MGE's Green View series—now featuring solar grazing!
In mid-July, dozens of local sheep arrived at MGE's 6-MW Tyto Solar in Fitchburg. The flock from nearby Wiscovery Farm helps control ground cover during the growing season. Solar grazing keeps the grasses and brush from shading the site's more than 13,000 panels. This avoids drops in efficiency and avoids fossil fuel use associated with mowing.
Watch and subscribe to Green View from MGE for more videos about clean energy and new technologies!
published: Nov-26-2024