A brand new photo voltaic undertaking at Consumers Energy is predicted to save lots of clients cash over time and additional the corporate’s aim of making cleaner power across the state.
Construction has begun for a 1,900-acre photo voltaic farm growth on the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, the county’s wastewater plant in Moorland Township.
“It’s a no brainer for us economically,” mentioned Charles Nash, chair of the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, who heard a presentation on the undertaking Tuesday evening. “It’s really grown to greater than we thought it will, however we’re pleased to see what it is doing – to extend jobs, enhance the opportunity of higher electrical stream and distribution- to our folks.”
The new Muskegon Solar Energy Center will generate 250 megawatts of power at a time, which can energy 40,000 properties, mentioned Tracy Wimmer, spokeswoman for Consumers Energy. This is the corporate’s largest photo voltaic growth in Michigan.
“We have some greater ones on the books however that is the most important within the state, so you recognize that and be happy with that,” Project Manager Shaun Casey instructed commissioners.
Richard Houtteman, left, Lakeshore Community Affairs Manager for Consumers Energy, speaks to the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, proper, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.Kayla Tucker
The firm has a long-term aim of getting 8,000 megawatts of photo voltaic power of their sources by 2040.
The undertaking is predicted to price roughly $350 million and make use of about 200 building jobs over the subsequent two years, with the photo voltaic facility formally working in 2026. Once open, officers have -as the power will solely make use of six full-time workers to function.
“It’s simply nice to see the best way it is unfold throughout Muskegon County in so many various methods economically but in addition provides to the standard of life for all of us,” Nash mentioned.
Consumers Energy can pay a lease to make use of the land that’s nonetheless owned by the county. Nash mentioned customers can pay the county extra to lease the property than it used to price to farm it.
Answering questions from commissioners, Casey mentioned the photo voltaic panels are designed to resist snow and hail and may be repositioned to assist clear snow.
“Winter is definitely a good time for photo voltaic,” Casey mentioned, including that extra daylight shines on the snow through the winter months. He additionally added that the lifespan of the panels is about 30 years.
By 2020, about 11% of Consumers Energy use might be renewable power, which incorporates photo voltaic and wind. By 2040, the aim is that renewables would be the principal supply of power at 63%.
Other power sources embody pure gasoline, buyer effectivity applications and power storage.
Nuclear power, oil and coal are anticipated to be phased out by customers by 2025.
Officials say a proper groundbreaking of the photo voltaic facility is deliberate to happen in mid-June.
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