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The finished Muskegon Solar project sits on 1,900 acres in Muskegon County.
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Shown during construction, the Muskegon Solar panels rotate to follow the sun’s trajectory.
Photo provided
The finished Muskegon Solar project sits on 1,900 acres in Muskegon County.
Photo provided
Shown during construction, the Muskegon Solar panels rotate to follow the sun’s trajectory.
MUSKEGON – Consumers Energy has announced the start of operations for Muskegon Solar, its largest solar project to help power Michigan. Muskegon Solar sits on 1,900 acres at the Muskegon Resource Recovery Center, generating 250 megawatts of electricity – enough to power about 40,000 homes and businesses.
Muskegon Solar’s over 550,000 panels are arranged in 5,200 rows that rotate to follow the sun’s path, generating energy from sunrise to sunset.
According to Brian Wheeler, media contact for Consumers Energy, the solar field will benefit the White Lake area and all of the company’s customers across Michigan by providing energy to meet their needs.
“Energy sources like Muskegon Solar generate power that goes into the entire statewide grid – it moves around pretty fast,” Wheeler said. “So, if an individual power source like a plant or a solar array stops operating, there’s not a direct impact on a specific community.”
Construction of the solar array created more than 200 construction jobs.
“This project is a testament to the skill and dedication of the local men and women building it, and we’re proud to partner with Consumers Energy on such a landmark project for the region,” said Chad Cotter, a vice president in the construction group at Burns & McDonnell.
Consumers Energy’s current solar projects include Muskegon Solar as well as three others at Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and in Cadillac. Consumers Energy continues to develop solar, wind, natural gas and battery storage in Michigan.
“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’re creating to make sure we continue to meet our customers’ needs,” said Sri Maddipati, Consumers Energy’s president of electric supply.
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