As a core part of our mission, OneEnergy, Inc. is tirelessly working to deliver practical renewable energy projects that help make clean energy the number one electricity choice of consumers and utilities across North America. In recognition of achieving that mission for the residents of Dane County, Wisconsin, OneEnergy was recently identified as a 2020 Climate Champion Awardee by the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change.

Dane County established the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change in 2017 to further the county’s efforts to address climate change. The Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change works with local governments, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to identify innovative ways to reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Champions program is Dane County’s way to recognize local entities that are leading on climate action and to celebrate their local leadership.

OneEnergy’s Midwest Regional Office is located in Madison, Wisconsin – the state capital of Wisconsin and largest city in Dane County. From this regional office, OneEnergy has been able to develop a variety of creative solar energy projects tailored made to help fit the renewable energy goals of local governments and businesses in the state. Two separate efforts by OneEnergy were identified to have met Dane County’s Climate Champion criteria, including:

Fist was the Butter Solar portfolio. It began in 2017 when OneEnergy Renewables approached Organic Valley – headquartered in La Farge, Wisconsin - with an innovative approach to help them become a 100% renewably powered company. That idea turned into a portfolio of 10 community solar projects, across three states, and totaling over 32 MW of solar. The City of Madison signed on to purchase almost half of the renewable energy credits - 14 megawatts – to help meet their renewable energy goals and the project was named the 2019 Renewable Energy Project of the Year by RENEW Wisconsin.  

Second was the customer-supported solar project in Middleton, Wisconsin – physically located in Dane County. It began in 2018 when the City of Middleton, Wisconsin set an ambitious goal to be 100% renewable powered by 2035. OneEnergy Renewables and the City worked together to add a solar energy project to city owned land: 21-acres at the Middleton Municipal Airport, known as Morey Airport. Morey Airport Solar does more than only helping Middleton reach its renewable energy goals; it also saves taxpayer dollars. By purchasing 30 percent of the power, the Middleton-Cross Plains School District will save more than $1 million by 2049. Meanwhile, the City will save another $353,000. Last, but not least, locally-sourced solar energy will be available to residents and business with 70 percent of Morey Airport Solar reserved for local MG&E customers.

OneEnergy is proud to help craft practical renewable energy projects that help Wisconsin cities meet their goals, save Wisconsin taxpayers money, and help make solar energy more available to everyone living in Dane County. We appreciate the recognition and look forward to earning future Climate Champion awards.

“We believe the transition to clean energy will create a more sustainable and equitable economy. In Wisconsin, OneEnergy is proud to deliver practical solar projects that help grow a renewable energy workforce, and produce local electricity that serves Wisconsin customers.” – Eric Udelhofen, OneEnergy Director of Midwest Region

“Climate change is a big global challenge, but these awardees illustrate how entities are acting locally, right here in Dane County, to do their part. I’m excited to recognize this year’s Climate Champions—they are the first in what I hope will be a long line of local champions for our community,” -From Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.