NextEra Energy 8-MW solar project powers Wisconsin state capital

Wisconsin utility Madison Gas and Electric‘s (MGE) latest solar array, the 8-MW Hermsdorf Solar Fields, is fully operational and delivers locally generated, sustainable energy to its distribution grid. The project in southeast Madison provides solar energy to the city and to the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) under MGE’s Renewable Energy Rider (RER).

Located on more than 50 acres of land in southeast Madison, the tracking solar array includes nearly 30,000 solar panels consisting primarily of bifacial panels. The project was developed by NextEra Energy Resources Development.

“I’m delighted to be partnering with MGE and MMSD to bring sustainable energy to Madison,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “The clean solar-powered electricity generated by Hermsdorf Solar Fields helps the city of Madison take a significant step toward our 100% renewable energy goal for City operations.”

The city is served by 5 MW of the output and MMSD is served by 3 MW of the output under separate RER agreements with MGE. The electricity generated by this distributed solar project is expected to increase renewable energy use in city operations by nearly 20% and by about 16% for MMSD.

MGE will add vegetation to the Hermsdorf site to provide a pollinator habitat for dwindling monarch and honeybee populations.

News item from Madison Gas & Electric

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/04/nextera-energy-solar-project-powers-wisconsin-state-capital/