Michigan utility Consumers Energy has selected 31 solar powered projects offered by businesses, homeowners and nonprofit groups across the state's Lower Peninsula to supply renewable energy to customers.
The suppliers were chosen as part of the company's Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP). The program provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by electric customers.
Fifteen non-residential customer projects in nine counties were selected during the program's most recent phase. The projects, ranging in size from 5 to 150 kW, are expected to provide 663 kW of electric capacity.
Sixteen residential customer projects were also selected. The projects, ranging in size from 2 to 18 kW, are expected to provide 177 kW of electric capacity.
‘Consumers Energy is working to develop energy supply plans for the future, and that includes adding solar energy to our balanced approach,’ says Timothy Sparks, Consumers Energy's vice president of energy supply operations. ‘These newest projects speak to that work, joining contracts for more than 200 customer-owned solar projects that we have in place.’
The next phase of the EARP will open Jan. 2, 2014, for residential customers.
