MGE moves forward with Middleton community solar pilot project

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to implement a community solar pilot project.

The project will provide interested MGE customers an opportunity to obtain up to half of their annual electric needs from solar photovoltaic generation.

The proposed project calls for a 500-kilowatt (kW) solar array at the new Middleton Municipal Operations Center located on Parmenter Street along Highway 12.

This array would feed power back into the electric grid, enabling local customers to purchase renewable energy generated right here at home. MGE expects this project will serve approximately 250 customers, based on an average subscription of 2 kW.

In addition to the community solar project, MGE also is proposing to partner with the city on a 100-kW solar array on the roof of the Middleton Police Department building. The energy generated would provide approximately 25% of the energy used by that building annually.

If the community solar project is approved later this year, MGE anticipates it will begin operations in late spring or early summer 2016.