Search | Menu Truax Campus energy-saving features earns 2026 Climate Champion honor
Madison College Truax Campus has earned the 2026 Dane County Climate Champion honor for its commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The campus’s main building uses about half as much energy as a comparable facility, thanks to a range of energy-efficiency features and rooftop solar.
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard and the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) recognized 73 local entities as 2026 Dane County Climate Champions, celebrating their leadership on climate action.
“Meeting the ambitious goals set in the Dane County Climate Action Plan requires leadership from everyone,” Agard said. “That’s why we are so excited to recognize this impressive class of new Climate Champions, representing so many different sectors.”
Truax Campus includes more than 5,700 solar panels across 125,000 square feet of rooftop space. During periods of strong sunlight, the solar system can generate enough electricity to meet 100% of the main building’s energy needs.
Energy-efficient design and technology are incorporated throughout the campus. Features include energy-efficient building materials and construction practices, advanced energy management and building automation systems, and high-efficiency HVAC systems with energy recovery ventilation. The buildings also use ground-source geothermal heating and cooling, along with onsite solar generation and energy storage.
The facilities offer a real-world learning space for Madison College students, including those in the Renewable Energy Certificate Program.
“Improving energy efficiency has been and remains a long-term priority for Madison College,” said Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, Madison College executive vice president, finance and administration. “By investing in proven technologies that reduce energy use, we can manage operating costs, make better use of the resources entrusted to us, and support the health and well-being of our communities.”
Learn more about Madison College’s commitment to renewable energy and its Renewable Energy Certificate Program.
