Madison Gas and Electric looks to expand its Shared Solar program with 5-MW project

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to expand its popular Shared Solar program with a second, large-scale solar installation in the City of Middleton.

“Our Shared Solar program is fully subscribed with a waiting list of customers who want to participate,” MGE Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler said. “We have significant customer interest in Shared Solar, and by proposing this expansion, we are meeting the needs of our customers who want affordable and locally sourced solar energy.”

The 5-megawatt (MW) solar project would be built in partnership with the City of Middleton at the Middleton Municipal Airport, also known as Morey Field. The proposed expansion gives residential and business customers throughout MGE’s electric service territory the option of powering their home or business with locally generated solar energy. Subscribers to the voluntary program can purchase up to half of their annual electricity use through the Shared Solar program.

“This project builds on the success of our first Shared Solar project,” Keebler added. “It also advances the City of Middleton’s and MGE’s clean energy goals. We look forward to working with our customers and the City of Middleton in growing our Shared Solar program with this new, large-scale project.”

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Renewable Energy Rider

A 1 MW share of the 5-MW solar array will serve the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District under MGE’s Renewable Energy Rider (RER). A 0.5-MW share will serve the City of Middleton under a separate RER agreement.

Under a Renewable Energy Rider, MGE partners with a large energy user to tailor a renewable energy solution to meet that customer’s energy needs. The model advances shared sustainability goals and grows clean energy in our community.

Construction is expected to begin this summer, with the solar array producing electricity for customers later this fall. Interested customers should visit mge.com/SharedSolar to learn more.

This proposal follows MGE’s first Shared Solar project, a 500-kilowatt array on the roof of Middleton’s Municipal Operations Center. The array came online in January 2017 fully subscribed.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: https://solarbuildermag.com/news/madison-gas-and-electric-looks-to-expand-its-shared-solar-program/]