We plan to break ground next spring on Blackman Solar, a new 30-acre community solar array in Jackson County that will provide local clean energy to customers through our Solar Gardens program.
This week, we received approval from Blackman Township for the community solar project, which is slated to start generating electricity by the end of 2025.
“Blackman Solar is a great example of a partnership with a community to develop a project that delivers reliable, clean energy as well as local tax and economic benefits,” said David Hicks, vice president of renewable energy development. “We’re grateful for the reception we’ve received from Blackman Township leaders and are excited to continue developing solar projects like this on our path to a carbon-neutral electric grid.”
Blackman Solar will generate power for our Solar Gardens community solar program, in which customers choose to support new solar projects without having to own solar arrays.
The new community solar facility will be the fourth that we own and operate, joining other Solar Gardens projects in Cadillac, at Western Michigan University and at Grand Valley State University. Blackman Solar will include nearly 5,000 solar panels and will generate up to 2.5 megawatts of renewable electricity for 2,500 future Solar Gardens customers.
Blackman Solar also will provide new capacity to expand our income-qualified Solar Gardens program, MI Sunrise. MI Sunrise is an efficient, easy, cost-effective way for municipalities, nonprofits and tribal governments to deploy federal grant dollars, providing access to clean, reliable renewable energy and measurable financial benefits to offset energy bills.
“Blackman Solar will help meet increased demand for community solar and offers shared solar infrastructure, accessibility and inclusivity, as well as financial and environmental benefits for all customers,” Hicks said.
We are committed to Michigan’s clean energy future which includes closing our final three coal-burning units next summer. We also are developing solar projects as part of our Clean Energy Plan to be carbon-neutral by 2040.
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