MADISON, Wis. -- The city of Madison is experimenting with an ecologically friendly way to control unwanted weeds in Lake Monona.

Little, high-tech islands in Monona Bay called "Solarbees" are solar-powered panels that slowly circulate lake water to add oxygen and fight the growth of nuisance weeds.

"(The Solarbees) are part of an overall strategy. This isn't the only thing we're doing," said Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "We've enacted a phosphorous fertilizer ban to cut down on some of the nutrients going into the lake. We've stepped up street cleaning to cut down some of the pollution being swept off the streets into the lake. This is going to be a long-term process."

The Solarbees are on loan to the city through the summer. The set of six sells for about $300,000.

Cieslewicz said that if the Solarbees work well, the city will consider buying some and might ask the Department of Natural Resources and Dane County to help with the cost.