Solar power in Michigan
{{short description|Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
File:Red-tailed Hawk by the solar arrays.jpg at University of Michigan NCRC solar array]]
Solar power in Michigan has been growing in recent years due to new technological improvements, falling solar prices and a variety of regulatory actions and financial incentives. The largest solar farm in Michigan is Assembly Solar, completed in 2022, which has 347 MW of capacity. Small-scale solar provided 50% of Michigan solar electricity as recently as 2020 but multiple solar farms in the 100 MW to 200 MW range are proposed to be completed by the middle of the decade. Although among the lowest U.S. states for solar irradiance, Michigan mostly lies farther south than Germany where solar power is heavily deployed. Michigan is expected to use 120 TWh per year in 2030. To reach a 100% solar electrical grid would require 2.4% of Michigan's land area to host 108 GW of installed capacity.{{Cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/VEIC_Renewables_Assessment_487864_7.pdf|title=Michigan Renewable Resource Assessment Final Report|website=www.michigan.gov}}
Michigan had over 1,444 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/michigan-solar|title=Michigan Solar|publisher=Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)|access-date=2024-04-28}} December 2020 marked a high point with over 105 MW brought online in that month alone. December 2021 saw 110 MW added.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_6_03|title=Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)}} In 2016, solar provided only about 0.25% of all electricity.{{Cite web|url=https://seia.org/state-solar-policy/michigan-solar/|title=Michigan|website=SEIA}} This rose to 1.3% in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/michigan-solar|title=Michigan Solar|publisher=Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)|access-date=2021-03-16}}
Solar farms and arrays
The 347MW Assembly Solar Project is the largest in the state. Located in Shiawassee County, it began construction in 2019 and was completed in March 2022.[https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/10/solar.html Proposed Shiawassee solar farm would cover 1,200 acres in two townships], mlive.com, October 16, 2018[https://www.argus-press.com/local_news/shiawassee_county/article_1ebe9d97-078b-5e56-9e52-9729fad638ce.html Assembly Solar Project construction moves ahead], GREYSON STEELE, Argus-Press, Jul 20, 2020[https://www.mccarthy.com/insights/mccarthy-completes-construction-michigan%E2%80%99s-largest-solar-farm-shiawassee-county-michigan McCarthy Completes Construction of Michigan's Largest Solar Farm in Shiawassee County, Michigan], March 30, 2022
In July 2012, Michigan's largest rooftop array, 977.6 kW, was installed in Canton on the IKEA store.{{cite web|url=http://midwest.construction.com/yb/mw/article.aspx?story_id=174643599|title=Mich.'s Largest Solar Array Plugged In Atop IKEA|date=February 8, 2017|publisher=Engineering News-Record}} Ford Motor Company and DTE Energy built the largest solar plant in the state, a 1.04 MW solar car port at Ford's world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan in 2015.[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150514/NEWS/150519909/dte-plans-big-solar-power-project-with-dominos-farms-in-ann-arbor DTE plans big solar power project with Domino's Farms in Ann Arbor Township], Crain's Business Detroit, Jay, Greene, May 15, 2015[https://dteenergy.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=26817&item=136877 Ford, DTE Energy to build Michigan's largest solar array], DTE, Aug 14, 2014 In 2015, DTE built a 1.1 MW solar farm at Domino's Farms near Ann Arbor, slightly larger than the Ford carport.[http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/05/ann_arbor_township_solar.html Michigan's largest solar panel installation taking shape outside Ann Arbor], mlive.com, Ryan Stanton, May 14, 2015 The IKEA store announced an expansion of its existing array in 2015 to bring it to 1.2 MW.[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141203005085/en/IKEA-Increase-Size-Michigan%E2%80%99s-Largest-Rooftop-Solar#.VInNJjHF_8Y IKEA to Increase Size of Michigan's Largest Rooftop Solar Array by Approximately 25% Atop Detroit-Area Store in Canton, MI], Business Wire, December 03, 2014 A 1.95 MW solar farm at DTE's Greenwood Energy Center near St. Clair came online in January 2016.[http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/2015/12/04/solar-power-projects-heat-up-across-michigan/ Solar power projects heat up across Michigan], Capital News Service, Colleen Otte, December 4, 2015 Indiana Michigan Power, in November 2016, opened a 4.6 MW solar farm near Watervliet.[http://www.wsjm.com/2016/01/05/indiana-michigan-power-planning-solar-power-facility-near-watervliet/ Indiana Michigan Power Planning Solar Power Facility Near Watervliet], WSJM, January 5, 2016[http://www.pv-tech.org/news/round-up-turkeys-largest-pv-plant-india-solar-rooftop-tender-im-4th-solar-p Indiana Michigan Power Watervliet solar plant goes online], pvtech, Danielle Ola, November 14, 2016 In May 2017, DTE brought online two solar farms in Lapeer County: a 28.4 MW farm and a 19.6 MW solar farm.[http://michiganradio.org/post/dte-energy-announces-biggest-solar-project-yet#stream/0 DTE Energy announces biggest solar project yet], Michigan Radio, Sarah Cwiek, December 21, 2015 These are the first large utility-scale solar farms in the state, with the larger covering 200 acres of land and the smaller one covering 100 acres.[http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/12/dte_energy_to_build_two_solar.html DTE Energy building two solar sites planned to be largest in Michigan], mlive.com, Dominic Adams, December 21, 2015 In July 2017, DTE completed a 2MW solar farm built in a closed city park in Detroit.[http://solarindustrymag.com/dte-building-2-mw-solar-project-on-blighted-land-in-detroit DTE Building 2 MW Solar Project On Blighted Land In Detroit], Solar Industry, March 30, 2016
The 24 MW Delta solar farm opened in two phases in 2018, supplying power for the Lansing Board of Water and Light.[http://wkar.org/post/bwl-starts-construction-delta-township-solar-array#stream/0 BWL Starts Construction on Delta Township Solar Array], Kevin Lavery, WKAR, Aug 29, 2017[https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Solar-power-plant-holds-ribbon-cutting-in-Grand-Ledge-491999741.html Solar power plant holds ribbon cutting in Grand Ledge], WILX Michigan State University built the largest solar car port project in North America, that covers 5000 parking spaces and has a total of 15 MW(DC) of power, completed in December 2017.[http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/09/11/msu-trustees-approve-largest-solar-array-michigan/72097598/ MSU trustees approve largest solar array in Michigan], Detroit Free Press, from Lansing State Journal, RJ Wolcott, September 11, 2015[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/alterra-power-announces-amendment-power-015400586.html Alterra Power Announces Amendment of Power Purchase Agreement for Michigan Solar Project], CNW Group, Dec 22, 2016
A 1.3 MW solar farm was built by American Municipal Power at a brownfield site in Coldwater and came online in February 2018.[http://www.thedailyreporter.com/news/20170828/six-years-late-work-starts-on-solar-farm Six years late, work starts on solar farm], The Daily Reporter, August 28, 2017[http://www.thedailyreporter.com/article/20150717/NEWS/150719244 Solar farm could begin construction in August], The Daily Reporter, July 17, 2015 Flushing Schools built a 0.96 MW system spread over the roofs of seven school buildings, completed in 2019.[https://cleantechnica.com/2018/03/31/it-starts-with-the-kids-michigan-schools-part-of-trend-to-save-with-solar-project/ It Starts With The Kids: Michigan Schools Part Of Trend To Save $$ With Solar Project], Clean Technica, Carolyn Fortuna, March 31, 2018[https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2019/08/standard-solar-flushing-community-school-district/ Standard Solar installs nearly 1 MW of solar for Flushing Community School District], Solar Power World, Kelsey Misbrener, August 22, 2019
In December 2020, the 20 MW Temperance Solar,[https://www.monroenews.com/story/business/2020/06/19/firm-begins-work-on-solar-farm-in-erie/114313774/ Firm begins work on solar farm in Erie], Monroe News, Dean Cousino, June 19, 2020 20 MW Bingham Solar, 15 MW Electric City Solar and the first 50 MW phase of Assembly Solar Farm were all brought online.
In January 2021, Pine Gate Renewables brought 16 MW of solar power online in the form of eight separate 2 MW solar farms in Genesee and Saginaw counties.[https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/01/pine-gate-renewables-completes-solar-projects-across-michigan/ Pine Gate Renewables completes 8 solar projects across Michigan], Solar Power World, Billy Ludt, January 8, 2021
Fort Custer began construction in May 2015 of a 0.25 MW solar farm with plans for a second 0.3 MW farm later.[http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/05/more_than_700_solar_panels_ins.html More than 700 solar panels installed at Fort Custer Training Center], mlive, May 15, 2015 This is part of the U.S. military's renewable energy goals of 25% renewables by 2025. In 2017, a project was announced for Fort Custer that would be a microgrid consisting of a 1.375 MW diesel system, 0.720 MW solar PV array, and a 0.400 MW energy storage system.[http://solarindustrymag.com/eaton-assist-u-s-department-defense-microgrid-demo-project Eaton To Assist U.S. Department Of Defense Microgrid Demo Project], Solar Industry, Joseph Bebon, April 5, 2017 Camp Grayling has a small 0.02 MW installation on one building roof while Selfridge Air National Guard Base had no solar power by 2014. Orion Renewable Energy Group, has proposed a 100 MW solar farm in SE Goodland Township in Lapeer County.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/03/100-million-solar-farm-could-be-coming-to-lapeer-county.html | title=$100-million solar farm could be coming to Lapeer County | date=March 15, 2022 }}
=Solar with battery storage=
"Circuit West" is a thirteen-block microgrid test in Grand Rapids. It contains a 0.65MW array of 1,800 panels on the roofs of three buildings and a 500 kW-hr battery.[https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/consumers-energy-dedicates-first-ever-solar-battery-storage-systems-on-grand-rapids-west-side-2019-01-24 Consumers Energy Dedicates First Ever Solar, Battery Storage Systems on Grand Rapids' West Side], January 24, 2019
=Community solar=
In 2015, several community solar projects were proposed. Consumers Power built a 3 MW solar farm at Grand Valley State University, completed April 2016, which became the largest solar farm in Michigan.[http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/2015/10/02/ground-broken-for-solar-farm-near-gvsu-campus/73258198/ Ground broken for solar farm near GVSU campus], WZZM, October 2, 2015 Consumers Power also built a 1 MW community solar project at Western Michigan University, completed in August 2016.[http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/08/western_michigan_university_ga_1.html Consumers Energy builds solar power plant in WMU business park], mlive, August 15, 2016[https://www.consumersenergy.com/content.aspx?id=8271 Solar Gardens], Consumers Energy, accessed April 29, 2016
Spartan Solar, a 1.2 MW installation in Cadillac, was built by Wolverine Power Cooperative in fall 2016, the largest solar plant in Northern Michigan.[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wolverine-to-add-largest-solar-array-in-northern-michigan-300335052.html Wolverine to Add Largest Solar Array in Northern Michigan], PRNewswire, September 27, 2016 A 0.3 MW community solar farm in East Lansing opened in January 2019 for Lansing Board of Water and Light.[https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2019/01/23/new-community-solar-park-east-lansing-goes-line-clean-energy/2659818002/ New solar park in East Lansing goes on line], Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal, January 23, 2019[http://www.fox47news.com/positivelymi/community-solar-parks-to-be-developed-in-cities-of-east-lansing-and-lansing Community Solar Parks to be Developed in Cities of East Lansing and Lansing], FOX 47 News, November 3, 2015 Escanaba approved a 1MW partly community solar installation near Delta County Airport to be online in 2018.[http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Solar-farm-becoming-a-reality-in-Escanaba-483874121.html Solar farm becoming a reality in Escanaba], TV6 FoxUP, May 28, 2018
=Proposed and under construction=
Pittsfield Township has approved a 20 MW Community Solar Project on 77 acres owned by Ann Arbor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/12/77-acre-ann-arbor-community-solar-project-gets-key-township-ok.html)|title=Mlive.com, December 9, 2021}}
A proposed 125 MW solar farm near Muskegon would also be among the largest in the state.[https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/10/state-regulations-slow-plans-for-proposed-muskegon-county-solar-farm.html Muskegon State regulations slow plans for proposed Muskegon County solar farm], mlive, Oct 16, 2019[https://mibiz.com/news/energy/item/26119-two-large-scale-renewable-energy-projects-planned-in-west-michigan Two large-scale renewable energy projects planned in West Michigan], mibiz, 15 September 2018 Ranger Power's 149MW River Fork solar farm would be built in Sheridan Township, Calhoun County by mid-2021 and has an agreement with Consumers Energy.[https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2019/09/southern-michigan-solar-farm-inks-power-deal-with-consumers-energy.html Southern Michigan solar farm inks power deal with Consumers Energy], mlive.com, September 10, 2019[https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2019/11/18/1-800-acre-solar-energy-center-near-albion-gets-local-approval/4201452002/ $150M Calhoun County solar energy center gets local approval], Brooks Hepp, Battle Creek Enquirer, Nov. 18, 2019 Ranger has also proposed a 200 MW farm in Montcalm County to be called Freshwater Solar.[https://thedailynews.cc/articles/project-freshwater-solar/ Project: Freshwater Solar 1,200-acre commercial solar farm proposed for northeastern Montcalm County], The Daily News, Cory Smith, January 12, 2020 The 200 MW Calhoun Solar Energy Center is proposed in 2019 by Invenergy for Convis Township in Calhoun County which signed an agreement with Consumers Power in March 2021.[https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/calhoun/consumers-energy-to-get-more-renewable-power-through-calhoun-county-solar-project Consumers Energy to get more renewable power through Calhoun County solar project], Fox17 News, March 11, 2021[https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2019/07/24/convis-township-zoning-commissioners-wants-solar-energy-center/1803254001/ 1200-acre solar energy center proposed in Convis Township could be one of the largest in Michigan], Brooks Hepp, Battle Creek Enquirer, July 29, 2019 In 2019, Ann Arbor proposed a 20 MW solar farm on a closed landfill site.[https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/02/pittsfield-planning-commission-recommends-solar-farm-approval.html Pittsfield planning commission recommends solar farm approval], mlive, Feb 22, 2020 In February 2020, Michigan State University's board approved a proposal to seek a 20 MW solar farm on 100 acres.[https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2020/02/14/msu-michigan-state-university-install-100-acre-solar-energy-array/4760386002/ A 100-acre solar array will save MSU money, increase renewable energy use], Mark Johnson, Lansing State Journal, Feb. 14, 2020 Traverse City is investigating a 10MW solar farm at the Cherry City Airport and a 1MW farm on a waste dump; nearby Acme Township is working on the 9MW Trailside Solar Farm.[https://www.traverseticker.com/news/multiple-solar-projects-on-deck/ Multiple Solar Projects On Deck], Traverse Ticker, Beth Milligan, July 22, 2020 A 150 MW solar farm to be built in Coldwater in Branch County was seeking planning approval in 2021.[https://www.monroenews.com/news/20210107/coldwater-solar-farm-will-have-economic-impact Coldwater Solar Farm will have economic impact], Monroe News, Don Reid, January 7, 2021 Copper Country Power has an agreement to build solar farms on two former mining sites in the Upper Peninsula: Groveland Mine in Dickinson County, and 7 Mile Pit in Crawford County.[https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/09/2-former-upper-peninsula-mine-sites-to-be-repurposed-as-solar-power-operations.html 2 former Michigan mine sites to be repurposed as solar power operations], mlive, September 28, 2020 Superior Solar Project will be a 150 MW solar farm in Sands Township, Marquette County.[https://www.upmatters.com/news/local-news/north-central-up/zoning-for-superior-solar-project-approved-in-sands-township/ Zoning for Superior Solar Project approved in Sands Township], UPMichigan.com[https://www.superiorsolarproject.com/ Superior Solar Project], official website White Tail Solar would be a 120 MW farm in Washtenaw County,[https://www.whitetailsolar.com/project-overview/ White Tail Solar], official site[https://thesuntimesnews.com/g/saline-mi/n/25092/white-tail-solar-changes-plans-augusta-while-moving-forward-york White Tail Solar Changes Plans in Augusta While Moving Forward In York], The Sun Times News, March 8, 2021 A 100 MW solar project in Hart, Michigan was expected to be online in 2023.[https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/business/energy-resource/2021/06/19/holland-zeeland-utilities-ink-deals-solar-energy-farms/7729225002/ Shift by Holland, Zeeland means more solar energy for customers], Carolyn Muyskens, The Holland Sentinel, June 19, 2021
Distributed solar
Distributed solar is not widely used in Michigan, with 14,446 installations. The total electric generation capacity of these installations was 124,749 kilowatts (kW) at the end of 2021. However, customer participation and installations are increasing quickly, with a 53% increase in capacity in 2019.[https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/DG_and_LNM_Report_Calendar_Year_2019_711217_7.pdf Net Metering & Solar Program Report For Calendar Year 2019], Michigan Public Service Commission, December 2020 On Jan 21, 2023 Consumers Power agreed to double the cap on its distributed rooftop solar and legacy net metering program from 2% to 4%. Additionally, the rate at which the company credits rooftop solar customers for the excess power fed onto the grid will be based on power supply rates that factor in transmission costs.{{cite web |title=Consumers Energy OK'd to raise electric rates, must double rooftop solar |website=mlive.com |date=January 20, 2023 |url=https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2023/01/consumers-energy-okd-to-raise-electric-rates-must-double-rooftop-solar.html}}
Large-scale solar plans
Despite having only reached 100 megawatts of installation statewide by 2018, thousands of megawatts have been proposed or included in planning documents. In response to DTE Energy filing a proposal for 2023 which included a 1.1GW natural gas plant with almost no new solar installations, renewable energy advocates proposed a plan with 1,100 megawatts of new solar capacity, 1,100 megawatts of wind, and 253 megawatts of demand response, which they claimed would satisfy criteria at a lower cost.[https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/solar-industry-tries-to-stop-a-new-1100-mw-gas-plant-in-michigan#gs.VHdQtQA Solar Industry Tries to Stop a New 1.1GW Gas Plant in Michigan], gtm, Julian Spector January 18, 2018 The state panel backed the DTE proposal in April 2018.
In 2017, Cypress Creek Renewables announced plans to build 2,600MW of solar plants in Michigan but has received no contracts from the two major power companies.[https://mibiz.com/item/25939-energy-developers-unclear-of-role-as-consumers-plans-major-shift-toward-solar Energy developers unclear of role as Consumers plans major shift toward solar], mibiz, Andy Balaskovitz, 7 July 2018 Cypress Creek has filed complaints, in 2018, against DTE and Consumers Power for failing to comply with the PURPA law.[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180420/news/658686/solar-firms-complain-to-state-over-dtes-refusal-to-strike-power Solar firms complain to state over DTE's refusal to strike power contracts], Crain's Business Detroit, Jsy Greene, April 20, 2018 In August 2019, Consumers Power proposed to allow 584 MW to connect to the grid by September 2023. This was almost four times the entire state total for solar power at the time of the proposal. They also propose accepting as much as 3000 MW to be connected to the grid at a lower purchase price per kilowatt hour over a longer timeframe. The proposal would need approval from the state electrical rate board.[https://www.crainsdetroit.com/energy/consumers-energy-proposes-settlement-solar-developers-michigan Consumers Energy proposes settlement for solar developers in Michigan], Crain's Business Detroit, Jay Greene, August 13, 2019 In September 2019, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved the settlement.[https://www.michiganradio.org/post/michigan-poised-nearly-quadruple-its-solar-power-capacity Michigan poised to nearly quadruple its solar power capacity], Michigan Radio, Tracy Samilton, September 13, 2019
In June 2018, Consumers Power announced a plan detailing changes from now until 2040 that would see it close all coal plants, use only natural gas for 10% of current needs and have the majority of its power supplied by solar. This would require building 6,200MW of solar as well as using 450MW of battery storage.[https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2018/06/21/michigan-utility-lay-out-plan-for-6-35gw-of-solar-and-no-coal-by-2040/ Consumers Energy reveals details of solar deployment in IRP], pv magazine usa, John Weaver, June 21, 2018 In 2020, Consumer Power expanded on this plan by announcing it would become carbon neutral.[https://www.michiganradio.org/post/consumers-energy-makes-first-nation-goal-net-zero-carbon-emissions-2040 Consumers Energy makes first-in-nation goal of "net zero carbon emissions" by 2040], Tracy Samilton, Michigan Public Radio, Feb 24, 2020
In September 2019, DTE Energy announced it was seeking bids for 25 to 200 megawatts of electricity from solar projects to be online between 2021 and 2023.[https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/09/16/dte-bids-solar-wind-producers-renewable-energy/2347895001/ DTE to request bids for solar and wind projects], Evan James Carter, The Detroit News, September 16, 2019
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Solar industry
Michigan was ranked 14th among U.S. states for solar jobs in 2013.[http://thesolarfoundation.org/solarstates/michigan State Solar Jobs], the Solar Foundation
In 2002, Stanford R. Ovshinsky built a factory in Auburn Hills, Michigan to build low cost Uni-Solar panels using amorphous semiconductors that generate power in diffuse light.{{cite web|url=http://www.solarintegrated.com/functionality_uni-solar_pv-cells.html|title=Functionality of the UNI-SOLAR® PV Cells|publisher=solarintegrated.com}} Uni-Solar became the second largest manufacturer of thin film solar cells, after First Solar, and a developer of solar shingles before going bankrupt in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/products/top-thin-film-solar-firms/|title=Solar Ideas & Information for Homeowners - Modernize|work=Modernize}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.uni-solar.com/2010/10/uni-solar-brand-debuts-first-ever-ul-approved-standard-production-residential-solar-module-roof-shingle/|title=www.uni-solar.com|website=www.uni-solar.com}}
Suniva opened a solar panel factory in Saginaw, Michigan in 2014, capable of producing 200MW of panels per year.[http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/15/suniva-starts-construction-200-mw-solar-factory-michigan/ Suniva Starts Construction on 200 MW Solar Factory in Michigan], CleanTechnica, Zachary Shahan, August 15, 2014 Suniva closed its Michigan plant in March 2017 and later filed for bankruptcy.
Government policy
The Government of Michigan has taken a variety of actions in order to encourage solar energy use within the state. On 28 November 2023, Governor Whitmer signed bills to transition Michigan to clean energy by 2040. The new laws also give the state the authority to override local decisions to allow farmers and property owners to house wind and solar projects on their land. State control over wind and solar projects will allow energy companies to avoid the bitter local zoning battles that have doomed such projects in the past.[https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/whitmer-signs-energy-bills-make-michigan-use-clean-energy-2040 Whitmer signs energy bills to make Michigan use clean energy by 2040], Bridge Michigan, November 28, 2023
On November 20, 2019, Governor Whitmer signed legislation exempting rooftop solar and alternative energy systems up to 150 kW from property tax assessment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.energycentral.com/c/ec/gov-whitmer-signs-solar-energy-legislation-michigan-eibc-gala-east-lansing|title = Gov. Whitmer Signs Solar Energy Legislation at Michigan EIBC Gala in East Lansing|date = November 19, 2019}}
=Net metering=
The state had a net metering program that allowed installations of up to 20 kW of on-site electrical generation to continuously roll over any excess generation to the next month. Participation was limited to 0.75% of utilities peak demand the prior year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=MI15R&re=1&ee=0|title=Michigan - Net Metering|access-date=2012-05-23}} Peak demand for the state for 2011 was 21,477 MW.[http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/11winter/ea-winter11.pdf Semiannual Projections of Energy Supply and Demand Winter Outlook 2011- 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526130133/http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/11winter/ea-winter11.pdf |date=2012-05-26 }}
In 2018, the net metering program was ended (with those already enrolled getting a 10-year grandfather term). The new inflow/outflow system will require new customers to pay full price for all electricity going in and receiving a credit based on avoided cost to the utility for electricity going out to the grid. Each utility will have to set this price in its rate case which must be approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. Bills were introduced into the state house within weeks to alter this system as favoring large utilities over solar owners.[https://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/04/michigan_solar_owners_hit_with.html?__vfz=rtw_top_pages%3D10959600015099 Michigan solar owners hit with 'unfair rates' under ruling, reps say], mlive, April 24, 2018 Co-op electrical providers are not covered by the same rules but some moved to alter their rates after the state board's ruling.
=Renewable portfolio standard=
The state adopted a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in 2008 which required that 10% of Michigan's electricity come from renewable resources by 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=MI16R&re=1&ee=0|title=Renewable Energy Standard|date=2007-07-03|access-date=2012-05-23}} This standard was met mostly by wind power. A program to add 2 MW of distributed solar by Consumers Energy customers was reached in two weeks, and the state directed the company to offer another 2 MW at a cost not to exceed $20 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.irecusa.org/2011/05/michigan-psc-directs-consumers-energy-to-expand-solar-program/|title=Michigan PSC Directs Consumers Energy to Expand Solar Program}}
In December 2016, a new energy policy was adopted which called for 12.5% renewable power by 2019 and 15% by 2021. It further called for power suppliers to "obtain at least 35% of the State's electric needs through energy waste reduction and renewable energy by 2025."[https://cleantechnica.com/2016/12/19/michigan-calls-15-renewable-electricity-2021/ Michigan Calls For 15% Renewable Electricity By 2021], CleanTechnica, Roy L Hales, December 19, 2016
Before the 2018 election, a referendum calling for "30% by 2030" was circulating. In response, DTE and Consumers Power promised at least 50% consisting of 25% actual renewables and 25% efficiency and demand reduction.[https://www.utilitydive.com/news/dte-consumers-pledge-50-clean-energy-heading-off-ballot-initiative/523893/ DTE, Consumers pledge 50% clean energy, heading off ballot initiative], Utility Dive, May 21, 2018 The referendum's backers including Tom Steyer then stopped their campaign.[https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2018/05/21/michigan-utilities-accede-to-25-renewable-energy-by-2030/ Michigan utilities concede to 25% renewable energy by 2030], pv magazine, Christian Roselund, May 21, 2018
In September 2020, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive order for "statewide decarbonization by 2050."[https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640-540289--,00.html Governor Whitmer Announces Bold Action to Protect Public Health and Create Clean Energy Jobs by Making Michigan Carbon-Neutral by 2050], michigan.gov, September 23, 2020 Bills were introduced in January 2020 to require that all of Michigan utilities' energy generation be renewable by 2050.{{Cite web | url=https://housedems.com/article/rabhi-chang-propose-all-renewable-electricity-2050 | title=Unknown}}{{Dead link | date=December 2024 | fix-attempted=yes}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Utility-scale solar generation in Michigan (GWh){{cite web|title=Electricity Data Browser|url=http://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/|publisher=U.S. Department of Energy|date=March 28, 2018|access-date=October 11, 2021}} | |||||||||||||
| Year
! Total ! Jan ! Feb ! Mar ! Apr ! May ! Jun ! Jul ! Aug ! Sep ! Oct ! Nov ! Dec | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=right
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| align=right
| 2017 | 63 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| align=right
| 2018 | 119 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| align=right
| 2019 | 143 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 5 |
| align=right
| 2020 | 155 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 8 |
| align=right
| 2021 | 425 | 13 | 23 | 44 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 41 | 25 | 18 | 19 |
| align=right
| 2022 | 861 | 31 | 40 | 65 | 71 | 98 | 122 | 115 | 106 | 79 | 71 | 44 | 19 |
| align=right
| 2022 | 1313 | 40 | 71 | 101 | 131 | 169 | 160 | 161 | 150 | 115 | 85 | 76 | 54 |
| align=right
| 2024 | 170 | 51 | 119 |
Largest farms
Other smaller farms
This incomplete list includes some of the earliest and some more unique solar installations in Michigan.
See also
{{Portal|Renewable energy|Energy|United States|Michigan}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
- {{cite web|url=https://energynews.us/2019/10/22/midwest/bipartisan-energy-freedom-bills-resurface-in-michigan-one-at-a-time/|title=Bipartisan 'energy freedom' bills resurface in Michigan, one at a time|date=October 22, 2019 }}
External links
- [http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?getRE=1?re=1&ee=0&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=MI Incentives and policies]
- [http://solarmichigan.org/ Solar Ypsi]
{{Solar power in the United States}}
{{Energy in the USA}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solar Power In Michigan}}