ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, MI — A large-scale commercial solar farm proposed for Ottawa County is getting pushback from residents.
Township planners previously have said the project could be as large as 1,100 acres, although officials with the company behind the project say the exact size hasn’t been determined.
RWE, a multinational energy company based in Essen, Germany, is focused on leasing properties in Zeeland and Jamestown townships.
The project generally would be south of I-196 and east of the Ottawa Executive Airport on Byron Road, but not necessarily involve contiguous parcels.
RWE staff say the project, if built, would be 200 MW and provide enough electricity for more than 34,000 homes. The Ottawa County location is being sought because of its proximity to a Consumers Energy high-voltage transmission line that goes past the airport.
Zeeland Township planners have been working on a solar ordinance in recent months and expect to craft it further at a Dec. 9 meeting, with an attorney available to answer questions.
Since the proposal surfaced publicly, many township residents have voiced opposition. In the last two weeks, signs have cropped up along Zeeland Township roads, asking readers to “Save Family Farms. Stop Solar Takeover.”
Dan Kerkstra, who owns a 45-acre farm where his family raises calves, has been distributing the signs.
He said the project will consume too much farmland, but he’s also worried about environmental and safety risks.
He noted that bald eagles live in the area and he questions the impact a solar farm will have on groundwater.
“There are just huge ecosystem concerns,” he said. “And it definitely uses an unreasonable amount of land. Quite frankly, this particular area is prime farmland.”
RWE wants to begin construction on the $300 million project in 2026. RWE leaders say it will employ 250 workers during construction.
Over the project’s lifetime, more than $30 million in tax revenues would be generated, according to company estimates.
Tim Miedema, a member of the Zeeland Township Planning Commission, said the project still has many unknowns because RWE has not yet submitted an official plan for a permit.
“Personally, I’m not so much in favor of it,” he said. “I don’t like the thought that it’s going to be taking up a lot of Zeeland Township (farm) land.”
At the same time, Miedema said he respects the rights of landowners to do what they choose if it coincides with township zoning rules.
He worries about the aesthetics of a solar project, with large expanses of glass panels.
According to the RWE plan, the panels will rotate with the sun to maximize efficiency.
RWE leaders have said they want to work with the township on the project and have offered feedback on the proposed solar ordinance.
The proposed commercial solar farm is one of at least two major “green” energy initiatives proposed in Ottawa County.
In Blendon Township, a 100-megawatt battery storage plant is proposed for 15 acres along 88th Avenue near Polk Street.
Many residents also oppose that project, primarily over environmental concerns.
In both cases, the developers could bypass the townships and seek direct approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission, under Public Act 233, if the townships decline a permit.
John Tunison has been a reporter at MLive/Grand Rapids Press since 1997, covering courts, crime and local government. Since 2024, he's covered Ottawa County government.
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 10/1/2025).
© 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here.
Ad Choices

source