More Solar Serving MGE Customers

Large-scale Paris solar project is online; battery storage expected in 2025. 

Madison, Wis., Dec. 11, 2024—Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has announced the 200-megawatt (MW) Paris solar project in the town of Paris in Kenosha County is operational, serving MGE electric customers with cost-effective, carbon-free energy. MGE owns 20 MW of solar capacity from the Paris Solar-Battery Park. MGE also will own 11 MW of battery storage from the facility. The 110 MW of battery storage is under construction and expected online in 2025. 

“Growing our use of renewable energy is one of MGE's strategies for achieving our science-based carbon reduction goals. The Paris Solar-Battery Park continues the progress we've made transitioning our energy supply, reducing carbon emissions and advancing new technologies like battery storage to serve our customers with affordable clean energy as we work toward net-zero carbon electricity," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. 

Located on about 1,500 acres, the Paris Solar-Battery Park features nearly 500,000 solar panels. It will generate enough clean energy to power about 60,000 households each year. MGE's share of the output will power about 6,000 households annually. 

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group, own the remaining 180 MW of solar output and 99 MW of battery storage from the project. The facility was developed by U.S.-based Invenergy LLC.  

Working toward 80% reduced carbon emissions by 2030   

Carbon is our target. MGE is working to achieve deep decarbonization, consistent with global climate science, as quickly, responsibly and cost-effectively as we can. By 2030, on behalf of all customers, MGE expects to deliver electricity with 80% fewer carbon emissions, and by 2050, we expect to deliver net-zero carbon electricity. MGE already has reduced carbon emissions by about 40% from our baseline 2005 level, putting the company halfway to its 2030 goal. 

Growing our use of cost-effective, clean energy and working with customers to advance energy efficiency and the electrification of transportation are all key strategies for achieving targeted carbon reductions consistent with global climate science. 

About MGE 

MGE generates and distributes electricity to 163,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 176,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. MGE's parent company is MGE Energy, Inc. The company's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.