The 300-megawatt (MW) Badger Hollow Solar Park, the largest solar project to date in Wisconsin, became fully operational with the completion of its second phase, operator We Energies and partner Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) said Jan. 4.

The solar park, which was developed in two 150-MW phases, is capable of providing enough electricity to power about 90,000 homes, according to a news release. The project’s first phase came online in December 2021.

Located near the communities of Montfort and Cobb in Iowa County, the solar park features 830,000 solar panels that capture solar energy on both sides.

“The completion of Badger Hollow is another step in our ongoing transition to greater use of cost-effective, carbon-free renewable energy to serve all MGE electric customers,” MGE’s CEO Jeff Keebler said in the release. “By 2030, we expect every MGE electric customer will have 80% fewer carbon emissions from their electricity use simply by being an MGE customer as we work toward our goal of net-zero carbon electricity.”

The solar park’s second phase is owned by We Energies (100 MW capacity) and MGE (50 MW capacity). The first phase is jointly owned by We Energies’ sister company, Wisconsin Public Service, (100 MW) and MGE (50 MW), according to the release.

“From frigid winter mornings through the hottest summer days, Badger Hollow Solar Park will play an important role in helping us deliver affordable, reliable and clean energy,” We Energies’ CEO Scott Lauber said.

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