From tech companies to recreational facilities, a range of Madison-area businesses are powering their operations with local renewable energy from MGE’s Shared Solar program.

“Climate change is real and we want to take steps to mitigate the effects,” said Brad Werntz, president of Boulders Climbing Gym. “Shared Solar provides an easy way for us to take action and lower our carbon footprint.”

Shared Solar is a voluntary program for MGE electric customers. Businesses pay a one-time fee to reserve a portion of the locally generated solar electricity and then pay a stable price for 25 years. Subscribers to the program can purchase up to half of their annual electricity use through Shared Solar. 

“We are a community first and a business second,” Werntz explained. “Community is what drives us so it only makes sense for us to do something positive for the community we are a part of. Shared Solar is a win-win.”

Zendesk, a company that creates software to improve customer relationships, also values the Madison community and chose Shared Solar as a way to give back.

“The idea of locally produced renewable energy is very attractive to us,” said Todd Lienart, Zendesk’s Director, Social Impact. “We believe in supporting the Madison community. Participating in Shared Solar is an authentic way to demonstrate our commitment to the environment and the community, and hopefully it will help encourage others to join the effort.”

Zendesk purchases Shared Solar for 50% of its electricity use for three of the four floors at its Capitol Square location, which serves as the Midwest regional hub for the San Francisco-based company.

“It’s a convenient way to operate our business in an environmentally responsible way while also offering flexibility,” Lienart explained.

With Shared Solar, MGE owns and operates the solar array. Participants don’t need to install or maintain panels at their location. They also can continue to participate if they move within MGE’s electric territory.

“This is a good product for a business like ours that is continually growing,” Lienart said. “If we outgrow our current space and need to move to a larger facility, we can continue to take part in Shared Solar.”

Beyond Shared Solar

Boulders Climbing Gym and Zendesk also participate in MGE’s Green Power Tomorrow program. Through this effort, they purchase clean electricity produced by wind and solar projects. Combined with their Shared Solar participation, this makes both companies 100% renewable.

“It’s important for businesses to take advantage of all of the opportunities they can to make a difference,” Werntz said. “We can’t sit around and wait for our neighbor to take action, we need to lead by example.”

“Purchasing renewable energy is the right thing to do. Our employees know it, our customers know it and our investors know it,” Lienart said. “MGE’s programs make it easy for businesses to make sustainable choices about their operations.”
  Back to Cover