tConsumers Energy in Jackson has selected 31 solar-powered projects offered by businesses, homeowners, and nonprofit groups across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to supply renewable energy to customers.
t“Consumers Energy is working to develop energy supply plans for the future, and that includes adding solar energy to our balanced approach,” says Timothy Sparks, the utility’s vice president of energy supply operations. “These newest projects speak to that work, joining contracts for more than 200 customer-owned solar projects that we have in place.”
tThe suppliers were chosen as part of the company’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP), which provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by electric customers. By 2015, utilities in the state must generate 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources. The bill was signed into law in 2008.
tFifteen nonresidential customer projects in nine counties were selected during the program’s most recent phase. The projects, ranging in size from 5 to 150 kilowatts, will provide 663 kilowatts of electric capacity. These include:
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- ttAllegan U-Stor Corp II, Allegan County
- ttAlma Housing Commission, Gratiot County
- ttAlmond Products Inc, Ottawa County (2)
- ttBenchley Brothers, Isabella CountyDavenport University, Kent County
- ttEdgewood Village Non-profit Housing Corp., Ingham County
- ttEldean Co., Ottawa County
- ttGold Coast Outfitters, Ottawa County
- ttHighPoint Electric, Kent County
- ttJ. Ranck Electric, Genesee County
- ttOne Stop Shop, Jackson County
- ttRiver Ridge Dairy Co. Inc., Ottawa County
- ttRoskam Baking Co., Kent County
- ttSpace Studios, Midland County
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tThe utility also selected 16 residential customer projects in 12 counties, including Barry, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gladwin, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Midland, Ottawa, and Shiawassee. The projects, ranging in size from 2 to 18 kilowatts, will provide 177 kilowatts of electric capacity.
tThe next phase of EARP will open Jan. 2 for residential customers. Applications will be available on consumersenergy.com/EARP after Jan. 2.
tConsumers Energy will host an information session about the program from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Burnham Brook Community Center in Battle Creek. To RSVP or for more information about the program, visit ConsumersEnergy.com/EARP.
