Consumers Energy Selects 31 Solar Projects in Michigan's Lower Peninsula

Consumers Energy has selected 31 solar powered projects offered by businesses, homeowners and nonprofit groups across Michigan'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. "Consumers Energy is working to develop energy supply plans for the future, and that includes adding solar energy to our balanced approach," said 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." 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 kilowatts, will provide 663 kilowatts of electric capacity. Sixteen residential customer projects in 12 counties – Barry, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gladwin, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Midland, Ottawa and Shiawassee -- also were selected. The projects, ranging in size from 2 to 18 kilowatts, will provide 177 kilowatts of electric capacity. The next phase of the EARP will open Jan. 2, 2014, for