In 2024, Madison Gas and Electric introduced grazing sheep at the company’s 6-megawatt Tyto Solar array in Fitchburg. The sheep help control ground cover during the growing season, maintaining grass and brush in a sustainable way.

The practice is an example of agrivoltaics, or dual-use solar, in which land is used for both solar generation and agriculture. MGE expanded its use of solar grazing the following year to the Company’s nearby Strix Solar facility and to the Hermsdorf Solar Fields in Madison.

The introduction of solar grazing built on the Company’s commitment to providing pollinator habitat through native plantings at some of its local solar generation facilities, including Dane County Airport Solar, Hermsdorf Solar Fields, Morey Field Solar and the O’Brien Solar Fields.

Pollinator habitats are shrinking. As native vegetation is replaced by roads, manicured lawns and non-native gardens, pollinators lose necessary food and nesting sites.

A pollinator is a bee, butterfly or other agent that transfers pollen from one plant to another. This process enables fertilization and the production of food such as seeds, fruits and nuts.