Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has announced that the 250-megawatt (MW) Darien Solar Energy Center, located in Rock and Walworth counties, is now fully operational. This milestone marks a significant step in MGE’s commitment to delivering cost-effective, carbon-free energy to its customers. MGE owns 25 MW of the solar capacity from the project and will also own 7.5 MW of battery storage once the facility’s full 75 MW of battery storage comes online in 2026.

Spanning approximately 2,000 acres across the town of Bradford in Rock County and the town of Darien in Walworth County, the Darien Solar Energy Center is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power around 75,000 households each year. MGE’s portion of the energy output will provide clean power to approximately 7,500 homes annually. The remaining 225 MW of solar generation and 67.5 MW of battery storage are owned by We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), both subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group. The facility was developed by U.S.-based Invenergy LLC, a leading developer of sustainable energy projects.

Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO, said in a statement, “Carbon is our target, and the Darien Solar Energy Center is another important step as we continue our progress toward achieving our science-based carbon reduction goals. MGE’s investments to enable our continued transition toward deep decarbonization of our energy supply also serve to ensure that all our customers share in the economic and environmental benefits of our more sustainable energy future.”

The integration of battery storage at the Darien Solar Energy Center will enhance grid reliability and ensure more consistent renewable energy availability. The storage system will allow excess solar energy to be stored and used when demand is high or when solar generation is low, further optimizing the facility’s impact on MGE’s transition to clean energy. MGE is actively working toward deep decarbonization and is committed to reducing carbon emissions in alignment with global climate science.

The company has set ambitious goals to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 and to achieve net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. Currently, MGE is already halfway toward its 2030 target, based on 2005 emission levels. To achieve these sustainability goals, MGE continues to expand its investment in renewable energy projects, promote energy efficiency, and support the electrification of transportation. By focusing on cleaner energy sources and innovative technologies, MGE is driving Wisconsin’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future while ensuring affordability and reliability for its customers.