Solar Power and Landowners
Landowners and Consumers Energy: Working Together to Create Michigan's Solar Energy Future
Submit Your Land for Consideration8,000 Megawatts of Solar by 2040
The Path to a Renewable Future
Our Clean Energy Plan is a 20-year blueprint to eliminate coal, and dramatically boost the amount of electricity we generate from clean, renewable sources.
Solar Energy: A Key Part of Our Plan
We plan to add 8,000 megawatts of competitively bid, utility-scale solar power by 2040 — when solar power will comprise more than half of our electric capacity.
Landowners Play an Important Role
Generating large amounts of clean, renewable solar energy requires large tracts of land. We’re searching for tens of thousands of acres in Michigan. Your land could play a key role in our clean energy transformation.
Clean, Cost-Effective Energy
Solar offers environmental benefits, and is increasingly cost competitive. We can add solar generation gradually to meet Michigan’s changing energy needs without building a large, new fossil fuel power plant.
We’ve already begun adding more clean, renewable, solar-generated electricity and plan to bring 1,100 megawatts of solar capacity online by 2024.
We currently buy our solar energy through a competitive bidding process where solar developers, including Consumers Energy itself, bid projects to sell us the power or the entire project.
Working with Farmers to Bring More Solar to Michigan
Michigan Farmers Play an Important Role
For 135 years, we’ve worked alongside farmers to create economic prosperity while protecting the natural resources we all cherish. Solar power is the next chapter in our long, fruitful partnership.
At the time, the technology was new and not everyone was sold on the change. Only a dozen families initially signed on for service from the historic power line from Mason to Dansville.
Those early adopters, though, reaped the life-changing benefits of electricity — everything from washing clothes to pumping water and milking cows got quicker, easier and cheaper. Their neighbors scrambled to catch up and, a decade later, our company had more than 10,000 miles of rural lines serving 40,000 customers.
Today, Consumers Energy and Michigan’s farmers have another chance to change life for the better.
We’re planning to add 8,000 megawatts of competitively bid, utility-scale solar power by 2040 — and our plan won’t succeed fully without support from farmers.
Generating large amounts of solar energy requires significant tracts of land — between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity — that’s flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. As we search for thousands of acres of land, we're considering potential locations such as farm fields — including those less ideal for growing crops — brownfield sites and state and recreational lands. What does this opportunity mean for Michigan’s farm community? We understand what land means to farmers, many of whom have operated their businesses for several generations. While some may feel ready to sell their acreage, others may want to enter into long-term easement agreements so the property can return to agricultural use at the conclusion of solar energy production. In some cases, solar and agriculture might co-exist on the same property.
Our goal is to meet Michigan’s farmers where they are to start a conversation about mutually beneficial solutions. Solar power can make the same positive and historic impact. I hope we can work together to create new economic possibilities for farmers and a brighter energy future for Michigan.
Active Projects
Click on the tabs below to read details about each project
Spring Creek Agri-Energy Center
Quick Facts
Location: Barry and Calhoun counties
Total Capacity: 140 Megawatts
Project Footprint: 1,600 acres
Start of Commercial Operation: 2026
Contact: POBoxSpringCreekSolar@cmsenergy.com
Read more about the Spring Creek project on our blog
Project Benefits
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Spring Creek will generate enough power for about 25,000 U.S. homes.
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Spring Creek will produce solar energy, plus renewable natural gas, or RNG. It will be the first “Agri Energy Center” in Southwest Michigan.
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The Spring Creek biodigester will capture methane from the decomposition of cow manure. It will then clean and condition it to produce RNG, safely delivering it to customers through existing pipelines. It could begin producing RNG as soon as 2025.
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Once built, the Spring Creek Project will pay local, county and school district taxes each year. This will total millions of dollars over the lifetime of the project. It will also create jobs while spurring economic development and investments in local infrastructure.
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Helps farmers diversify their income. Keeps family farms in business and preserves agricultural heritage.
Protecting the Public and the Environment
All of our solar projects comply with or exceed generally accepted industry standards. Numerous studies on the impact of solar farms. They show no harm to public health, safety or welfare and minimal impact to the environment and local wildlife.
Answers About Landowners and Solar
Welcoming solar to your community can increase a community's revenue to help fund education and critical basic services. Solar power plants can provide income for participating landowners from the sale of property or ongoing easement agreements.
Generating solar energy requires significant tracts of land - between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity - that's flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. That said, we expect to meet our solar energy targets using less than 2 percent of the farmland in Michigan. Ideal project sites for utility-scale solar power plants are about 500 to 900 acres and are often comprised of multiple, neighboring landowners. We're considering potential locations such as farm fields - including those less ideal for growing crops - brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. Distance to existing transmission infrastructure is also a critical factor for solar developments. The closer, the better. Lack of access or long distances to high-voltage transmission and distribution can increase costs and other siting issues.
The presence of solar does not appear to make a significant impact for landowners or neighbors. Property values are determined by a wide variety of factors, including the preferences of individual buyers, making it difficult to draw general conclusions.
New solar installations have minimal impact on agricultural land. Topsoil is left in place and solar array sites are seeded with native grasses and pollinating plants to promote biodiversity. Land can generally be farmed again after serving as a solar installation.
Protecting the planet is one of our top priorities and solar is a responsible environmental choice that highlights our commitment to Michigan’s ecosystem. Solar panels don’t leach or emit any harmful chemicals into the soil or the air and aren’t expected to negatively affect local wildlife. We’ll complete a detailed environmental inventory of the project area and will work with landowners and applicable federal, state and local agencies to consider all environmental concerns. This includes identifying and protecting any threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Solar panels have minimal impact for nearby residents. Their visual profile is minimal — particularly compared to wind energy. Panels are installed strategically to reduce any visible glare and don’t impact internet, phone, or satellite services. Solar panels do not make any noise. There can be a low humming noise associated with electrical equipment connecting solar panels to the grid, but sound studies are performed before and after construction to ensure noise is at acceptable levels defined by local zoning ordinances.
As optimistic as we are about the future of solar energy, we understand the sun doesn’t always shine — especially in Michigan. That’s one reason our Clean Energy Plan also includes the purchase of an existing natural gas-fired power plant in Covert. This plant, along with our current natural gas power plants in Zeeland and Jackson, will supply reliable, on-demand electricity to meet Michigan’s energy needs when renewables such as solar and other sources are not available. We’re also counting on battery technology to help us store electricity generated by solar and other renewable energy sources. We’ll save it for those times when solar production is challenging to help meet demand for power on the grid.
Interested in Submitting Land for Solar?
If you have land you think could play a part in Michigan's Solar Energy Future, please submit this form and we'll be in touch.
Karn Solar Project
Quick Facts
Location: Bay County, former site of Karn 1 and 2 coal-fired generating units
Total Capacity: 85 Megawatts
Project Footprint: 440 acres
Start of Commercial Operation: 2026
Contact: POBoxKarnSolar@cmsenergy.com
Read more about the Karn project on our blog
Project Benefits
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The Karn Solar Project will generate enough power for about 20,000 U.S. homes.
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Once built, the Karn Solar Project will pay local, county and school district taxes each year. This will total millions of dollars over the lifetime of the project. It will also create jobs while spurring economic development and investments in local infrastructure.
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Continues the legacy of contributing to the Hampton Township community while generating clean, safe and reliable energy for Michigan.
Protecting the Public and the Environment
All of our solar projects comply with or exceed generally accepted industry standards. Numerous studies on the impact of solar farms. They show no harm to public health, safety or welfare and minimal impact to the environment and local wildlife.
Answers About Landowners and Solar
Welcoming solar to your community can increase a community's revenue to help fund education and critical basic services. Solar power plants can provide income for participating landowners from the sale of property or ongoing easement agreements.
Generating solar energy requires significant tracts of land - between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity - that's flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. That said, we expect to meet our solar energy targets using less than 2 percent of the farmland in Michigan. Ideal project sites for utility-scale solar power plants are about 500 to 900 acres and are often comprised of multiple, neighboring landowners. We're considering potential locations such as farm fields - including those less ideal for growing crops - brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. Distance to existing transmission infrastructure is also a critical factor for solar developments. The closer, the better. Lack of access or long distances to high-voltage transmission and distribution can increase costs and other siting issues.
The presence of solar does not appear to make a significant impact for landowners or neighbors. Property values are determined by a wide variety of factors, including the preferences of individual buyers, making it difficult to draw general conclusions.
New solar installations have minimal impact on agricultural land. Topsoil is left in place and solar array sites are seeded with native grasses and pollinating plants to promote biodiversity. Land can generally be farmed again after serving as a solar installation.
Protecting the planet is one of our top priorities and solar is a responsible environmental choice that highlights our commitment to Michigan’s ecosystem. Solar panels don’t leach or emit any harmful chemicals into the soil or the air and aren’t expected to negatively affect local wildlife. We’ll complete a detailed environmental inventory of the project area and will work with landowners and applicable federal, state and local agencies to consider all environmental concerns. This includes identifying and protecting any threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Solar panels have minimal impact for nearby residents. Their visual profile is minimal — particularly compared to wind energy. Panels are installed strategically to reduce any visible glare and don’t impact internet, phone, or satellite services. Solar panels do not make any noise. There can be a low humming noise associated with electrical equipment connecting solar panels to the grid, but sound studies are performed before and after construction to ensure noise is at acceptable levels defined by local zoning ordinances.
As optimistic as we are about the future of solar energy, we understand the sun doesn’t always shine — especially in Michigan. That’s one reason our Clean Energy Plan also includes the purchase of an existing natural gas-fired power plant in Covert. This plant, along with our current natural gas power plants in Zeeland and Jackson, will supply reliable, on-demand electricity to meet Michigan’s energy needs when renewables such as solar and other sources are not available. We’re also counting on battery technology to help us store electricity generated by solar and other renewable energy sources. We’ll save it for those times when solar production is challenging to help meet demand for power on the grid.
Interested in Submitting Land for Solar?
If you have land you think could play a part in Michigan's Solar Energy Future, please submit this form and we'll be in touch.
Muskegon Solar Energy Center
Quick Facts
Location: Moorland Township, Muskegon County
Total Capacity: 250 Megawatts
Project Footprint: 1,900 acres
Start of Commercial Operation: 2026
Contact: POBoxMuskegonSolar@cmsenergy.com
Project Benefits
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Will generate enough power for about 40,000 U.S. homes.
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A unique partnership between Muskegon County and Consumers Energy to use available land at the county’s wastewater treatment site to generate clean, reliable energy.
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Producing renewable energy is a logical evolution at the 11,000-acre Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center - a one-of-a-kind facility that’s reliably treated wastewater for 50+ years.
Protecting the Public and the Environment
All of our solar projects comply with or exceed generally accepted industry standards. Numerous studies on the impact of solar farms. They show no harm to public health, safety or welfare and minimal impact to the environment and local wildlife.
Answers About Landowners and Solar
Welcoming solar to your community can increase a community's revenue to help fund education and critical basic services. Solar power plants can provide income for participating landowners from the sale of property or ongoing easement agreements.
Generating solar energy requires significant tracts of land - between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity - that's flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. That said, we expect to meet our solar energy targets using less than 2 percent of the farmland in Michigan. Ideal project sites for utility-scale solar power plants are about 500 to 900 acres and are often comprised of multiple, neighboring landowners. We're considering potential locations such as farm fields - including those less ideal for growing crops - brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. Distance to existing transmission infrastructure is also a critical factor for solar developments. The closer, the better. Lack of access or long distances to high-voltage transmission and distribution can increase costs and other siting issues.
The presence of solar does not appear to make a significant impact for landowners or neighbors. Property values are determined by a wide variety of factors, including the preferences of individual buyers, making it difficult to draw general conclusions.
New solar installations have minimal impact on agricultural land. Topsoil is left in place and solar array sites are seeded with native grasses and pollinating plants to promote biodiversity. Land can generally be farmed again after serving as a solar installation.
Protecting the planet is one of our top priorities and solar is a responsible environmental choice that highlights our commitment to Michigan’s ecosystem. Solar panels don’t leach or emit any harmful chemicals into the soil or the air and aren’t expected to negatively affect local wildlife. We’ll complete a detailed environmental inventory of the project area and will work with landowners and applicable federal, state and local agencies to consider all environmental concerns. This includes identifying and protecting any threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Solar panels have minimal impact for nearby residents. Their visual profile is minimal — particularly compared to wind energy. Panels are installed strategically to reduce any visible glare and don’t impact internet, phone, or satellite services. Solar panels do not make any noise. There can be a low humming noise associated with electrical equipment connecting solar panels to the grid, but sound studies are performed before and after construction to ensure noise is at acceptable levels defined by local zoning ordinances.
As optimistic as we are about the future of solar energy, we understand the sun doesn’t always shine — especially in Michigan. That’s one reason our Clean Energy Plan also includes the purchase of an existing natural gas-fired power plant in Covert. This plant, along with our current natural gas power plants in Zeeland and Jackson, will supply reliable, on-demand electricity to meet Michigan’s energy needs when renewables such as solar and other sources are not available. We’re also counting on battery technology to help us store electricity generated by solar and other renewable energy sources. We’ll save it for those times when solar production is challenging to help meet demand for power on the grid.
Interested in Submitting Land for Solar?
If you have land you think could play a part in Michigan's Solar Energy Future, please submit this form and we'll be in touch.
Caledonia Solar Project
Quick Facts
Location: Alcona County
Total Capacity: 115 Megawatts
Project Footprint: 1,200 acres
Start of Commercial Operation: 2027
Contact: POBoxCaledoniaSolar@cmsnenergy.com
Project Benefits
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Will generate enough power for about 21,000 U.S. homes.
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Once built, the Caledonia Solar Project will pay local, county and school district taxes each year. This will total millions of dollars over the lifetime of the project. It will also create jobs while spurring economic development and investments in local infrastructure.
-
Helps farmers diversify their income while keeping the family farm in business and preserving the agricultural heritage of the community.
Protecting the Public and the Environment
All of our solar projects comply with or exceed generally accepted industry standards. Numerous studies on the impact of solar farms. They show no harm to public health, safety or welfare and minimal impact to the environment and local wildlife.
Answers About Landowners and Solar
Welcoming solar to your community can increase a community's revenue to help fund education and critical basic services. Solar power plants can provide income for participating landowners from the sale of property or ongoing easement agreements.
Generating solar energy requires significant tracts of land - between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity - that's flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. That said, we expect to meet our solar energy targets using less than 2 percent of the farmland in Michigan. Ideal project sites for utility-scale solar power plants are about 500 to 900 acres and are often comprised of multiple, neighboring landowners. We're considering potential locations such as farm fields - including those less ideal for growing crops - brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. Distance to existing transmission infrastructure is also a critical factor for solar developments. The closer, the better. Lack of access or long distances to high-voltage transmission and distribution can increase costs and other siting issues.
The presence of solar does not appear to make a significant impact for landowners or neighbors. Property values are determined by a wide variety of factors, including the preferences of individual buyers, making it difficult to draw general conclusions.
New solar installations have minimal impact on agricultural land. Topsoil is left in place and solar array sites are seeded with native grasses and pollinating plants to promote biodiversity. Land can generally be farmed again after serving as a solar installation.
Protecting the planet is one of our top priorities and solar is a responsible environmental choice that highlights our commitment to Michigan’s ecosystem. Solar panels don’t leach or emit any harmful chemicals into the soil or the air and aren’t expected to negatively affect local wildlife. We’ll complete a detailed environmental inventory of the project area and will work with landowners and applicable federal, state and local agencies to consider all environmental concerns. This includes identifying and protecting any threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Solar panels have minimal impact for nearby residents. Their visual profile is minimal — particularly compared to wind energy. Panels are installed strategically to reduce any visible glare and don’t impact internet, phone, or satellite services. Solar panels do not make any noise. There can be a low humming noise associated with electrical equipment connecting solar panels to the grid, but sound studies are performed before and after construction to ensure noise is at acceptable levels defined by local zoning ordinances.
As optimistic as we are about the future of solar energy, we understand the sun doesn’t always shine — especially in Michigan. That’s one reason our Clean Energy Plan also includes the purchase of an existing natural gas-fired power plant in Covert. This plant, along with our current natural gas power plants in Zeeland and Jackson, will supply reliable, on-demand electricity to meet Michigan’s energy needs when renewables such as solar and other sources are not available. We’re also counting on battery technology to help us store electricity generated by solar and other renewable energy sources. We’ll save it for those times when solar production is challenging to help meet demand for power on the grid.
Interested in Submitting Land for Solar?
Liberty Farms Solar Project
Quick Facts
Location: Kalamazoo County
Total Capacity: 220 Megawatts
Project Footprint: 2,200 acres
Start of Commercial Operation: 2027
Contact Us:
poboxlibertyfarmssolar@cmsenergy.com
Project Benefits
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Will generate enough power for about 52,000 U.S. homes.
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Once built, Liberty Farms Solar Project will pay local, county and school district personal property taxes each year, totaling millions of dollars over the 30-plus-year lifetime of the project. This project will create jobs while spurring economic development and investments in local infrastructure.
-
Helps farmers diversify their income while keeping the family farm in business and preserving the agricultural heritage of the community.
Protecting the Public and the Environment
All of our solar projects comply with or exceed generally accepted industry standards. Numerous studies on the impact of solar farms. They show no harm to public health, safety or welfare and minimal impact to the environment and local wildlife.
Answers About Landowners and Solar
Welcoming solar to your community can increase a community's revenue to help fund education and critical basic services. Solar power plants can provide income for participating landowners from the sale of property or ongoing easement agreements.
Generating solar energy requires significant tracts of land - between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity - that's flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. That said, we expect to meet our solar energy targets using less than 2 percent of the farmland in Michigan. Ideal project sites for utility-scale solar power plants are about 500 to 900 acres and are often comprised of multiple, neighboring landowners. We're considering potential locations such as farm fields - including those less ideal for growing crops - brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. Distance to existing transmission infrastructure is also a critical factor for solar developments. The closer, the better. Lack of access or long distances to high-voltage transmission and distribution can increase costs and other siting issues.
The presence of solar does not appear to make a significant impact for landowners or neighbors. Property values are determined by a wide variety of factors, including the preferences of individual buyers, making it difficult to draw general conclusions.
New solar installations have minimal impact on agricultural land. Topsoil is left in place and solar array sites are seeded with native grasses and pollinating plants to promote biodiversity. Land can generally be farmed again after serving as a solar installation.
Protecting the planet is one of our top priorities and solar is a responsible environmental choice that highlights our commitment to Michigan’s ecosystem. Solar panels don’t leach or emit any harmful chemicals into the soil or the air and aren’t expected to negatively affect local wildlife. We’ll complete a detailed environmental inventory of the project area and will work with landowners and applicable federal, state and local agencies to consider all environmental concerns. This includes identifying and protecting any threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Solar panels have minimal impact for nearby residents. Their visual profile is minimal — particularly compared to wind energy. Panels are installed strategically to reduce any visible glare and don’t impact internet, phone, or satellite services. Solar panels do not make any noise. There can be a low humming noise associated with electrical equipment connecting solar panels to the grid, but sound studies are performed before and after construction to ensure noise is at acceptable levels defined by local zoning ordinances.
As optimistic as we are about the future of solar energy, we understand the sun doesn’t always shine — especially in Michigan. That’s one reason our Clean Energy Plan also includes the purchase of an existing natural gas-fired power plant in Covert. This plant, along with our current natural gas power plants in Zeeland and Jackson, will supply reliable, on-demand electricity to meet Michigan’s energy needs when renewables such as solar and other sources are not available. We’re also counting on battery technology to help us store electricity generated by solar and other renewable energy sources. We’ll save it for those times when solar production is challenging to help meet demand for power on the grid.
Interested in Submitting Land for Solar?
Liberty Farms Solar Project
Quick Facts
Location: Kalamazoo County
Total Capacity: 220 Megawatts
Project Footprint: 2,200 acres
Start of Commercial Operation: 2027
Contact Us:
poboxlibertyfarmssolar@cmsenergy.com
Project Benefits
-
Will generate enough power for about 52,000 U.S. homes.
-
Once built, Liberty Farms Solar Project will pay local, county and school district personal property taxes each year, totaling millions of dollars over the 30-plus-year lifetime of the project. This project will create jobs while spurring economic development and investments in local infrastructure.
-
Helps farmers diversify their income while keeping the family farm in business and preserving the agricultural heritage of the community.
Protecting the Public and the Environment
All of our solar projects comply with or exceed generally accepted industry standards. Numerous studies on the impact of solar farms. They show no harm to public health, safety or welfare and minimal impact to the environment and local wildlife.
Answers About Landowners and Solar
Welcoming solar to your community can increase a community's revenue to help fund education and critical basic services. Solar power plants can provide income for participating landowners from the sale of property or ongoing easement agreements.
Generating solar energy requires significant tracts of land - between five and 10 acres per megawatt of electricity - that's flat, open and treeless with direct access to the sun. That said, we expect to meet our solar energy targets using less than 2 percent of the farmland in Michigan. Ideal project sites for utility-scale solar power plants are about 500 to 900 acres and are often comprised of multiple, neighboring landowners. We're considering potential locations such as farm fields - including those less ideal for growing crops - brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. Distance to existing transmission infrastructure is also a critical factor for solar developments. The closer, the better. Lack of access or long distances to high-voltage transmission and distribution can increase costs and other siting issues.
The presence of solar does not appear to make a significant impact for landowners or neighbors. Property values are determined by a wide variety of factors, including the preferences of individual buyers, making it difficult to draw general conclusions.
New solar installations have minimal impact on agricultural land. Topsoil is left in place and solar array sites are seeded with native grasses and pollinating plants to promote biodiversity. Land can generally be farmed again after serving as a solar installation.
Protecting the planet is one of our top priorities and solar is a responsible environmental choice that highlights our commitment to Michigan’s ecosystem. Solar panels don’t leach or emit any harmful chemicals into the soil or the air and aren’t expected to negatively affect local wildlife. We’ll complete a detailed environmental inventory of the project area and will work with landowners and applicable federal, state and local agencies to consider all environmental concerns. This includes identifying and protecting any threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Solar panels have minimal impact for nearby residents. Their visual profile is minimal — particularly compared to wind energy. Panels are installed strategically to reduce any visible glare and don’t impact internet, phone, or satellite services. Solar panels do not make any noise. There can be a low humming noise associated with electrical equipment connecting solar panels to the grid, but sound studies are performed before and after construction to ensure noise is at acceptable levels defined by local zoning ordinances.
As optimistic as we are about the future of solar energy, we understand the sun doesn’t always shine — especially in Michigan. That’s one reason our Clean Energy Plan also includes the purchase of an existing natural gas-fired power plant in Covert. This plant, along with our current natural gas power plants in Zeeland and Jackson, will supply reliable, on-demand electricity to meet Michigan’s energy needs when renewables such as solar and other sources are not available. We’re also counting on battery technology to help us store electricity generated by solar and other renewable energy sources. We’ll save it for those times when solar production is challenging to help meet demand for power on the grid.
Interested in Submitting Land for Solar?