Consumers Energy adds 2500MW of solar capacity in Michigan

Consumers Energy continues to scale up its renewable portfolio with the Muskegon Solar project going operational at Michigan. This new utility-scale solar facility, located at the Muskegon Resource Recovery Centre, covers roughly 1,900 acres and has an installed capacity of 250MW, which the company says is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of about 40,000 homes and businesses in the surrounding area. 

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The site represents one of the most extensive solar developments undertaken by the company to date. More than 200 workers were employed during the construction of the project, thus contributing to local economic activity over the build period.

At the heart of the project are more than 550,000 solar panels, positioned in about 5,200 rows. Each row is fitted with tracking technology that allows the panels to rotate throughout the day, following the sun’s path from sunrise to sunset to improve overall generation efficiency.

Sri Maddipati, president of electric supply at Consumers Energy, said the project reflected the direction in which the utility is taking its electricity system.

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“Consumers Energy is building the electric grid of the future to serve Michigan homes and businesses. Muskegon Solar provides an example of the reliable, cost-effective projects we are creating to make sure we continue to meet our customers’ needs.

“We are grateful for the support of Moorland Township and Muskegon County, and are excited to produce more energy here in Michigan for our friends and neighbours.”

Muskegon Solar adds to a growing portfolio of renewable assets owned by Consumers Energy. The company already operates solar installations at Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University and in the city of Cadillac. Beyond solar, it is advancing projects involving battery storage, wind generation and new natural gas capacity across Michigan.

Consumers Energy supplies electricity and natural gas to roughly 6.8 million people, covering all 68 counties in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

The solar project follows the commissioning of another major renewable facility earlier in the year. In January 2024, the company brought the 201MW Heartland Farms Wind project online in Gratiot County. The site, Consumers Energy’s fifth wind farm, consists of 72 turbines supplied by General Electric.

Together, the latest solar and wind developments underline the company’s continued investment in diversifying Michigan’s energy mix while strengthening long-term supply for customers.

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