close
close

The bills would allow the use of solar panels in Michigan that are not owned by utility companies

Posted on by darion

LANSING, MI – A wave of renewable energy advocates has descended on Lansing to tell state lawmakers they want to make utility-independent solar projects a reality in Michigan.

The lawmakers testified Thursday, June 13, during a hearing of the state Senate Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee. Speakers overwhelmingly supported a pair of bipartisan bills allowing such community solar projects for the first time in Michigan.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines community solar projects as those that allow subscribers or members to use solar panels at an outdoor location. Current Michigan law only allows utilities and electric cooperatives to pursue such electricity generation projects.

This may change.

Proposed bipartisan Senate Bills 152 and 153 would allow community solar use not owned by Michigan utilities and require state regulators to write regulations for the industry. The bills are co-sponsored by state Sens. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, and Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township in the Upper Peninsula.

McBroom said the new rules would allow Michiganders to “escape ever-increasing rates” from electricity providers. Irwin agreed and said he suspects all Michigan lawmakers have heard complaints from their constituents about rising utility rates over the past decade.

“As we have chained our residents to fossil fuels and a limited system that requires them to use providers, rates have continued to go up and up and up,” Irwin said.

He said solar energy is cheap and getting cheaper, so it’s important to increase access to it beyond just those who can install solar panels on their roofs. He argued that it’s time to legalize community solar projects in Michigan so more people can benefit from solar energy.

During Thursday’s hearing, renewable energy advocates took to the microphone one by one to tout the benefits of community solar. Increased solar power would help Michigan meet new clean energy standards introduced in state law last year.

Michigan could also leverage millions of dollars in federal infrastructure to help build solar installations, said Tim Minotas, deputy director of legislative and policy affairs for the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter. He called it a “monumental opportunity for Michigan.”

“However, without a community solar-enabling policy here in Michigan that allows for stand-alone projects, we will be left with a key policy lever on our ability to fully utilize Solar for All funds and deliver the benefits of energy cost savings to residents that true solar power provides for the community,” Minotas said.

Alison Sutter, Grand Rapids’ sustainability specialist, said clean energy and community solar are among the city’s top community goals. She said they want to build a community solar project on a 190-acre reclaimed Superfund site on the former Butterworth Landfill.

“If we could build 5 megawatts on this landfill, we believe it would power about 4,500 households over 30 years. Collectively, we believe these households would reduce their electric bills by approximately $1.4 million over the lifetime, or 30-year life of this system,” Sutter said.

Rafael Mojica, project director of the nonprofit Souladarity in Highland Park, said community solar will not only lower energy costs for participating low-income households, but when combined with batteries could provide significant benefits during massive power outages that Michigan is experiencing more frequent .

Utility company officials expressed opposition to the proposed legislation.

Officials with Consumers Energy, one of Michigan’s two largest utilities, said community solar is an important piece of the puzzle in building a reliable and affordable electric grid. The company offers its customers its own brand of community solar energy.

“Unfortunately, this legislation completely misses the mark by putting Michigan’s clean energy transition at risk and raising costs for everyone,” said Consumer Advocate Tracy Wimmer.

She said the company will continue to work with lawmakers to expand community solar options “within the state’s existing regulatory structure.”

Related articles:

Failure-prone Michigan businesses could face annual fines of $10 million

Michigan’s utilities have been ordered to better communicate during power outages

Petition to repeal Michigan’s Clean Energy Location Act skips 2024 ballot

Regulators are recommending that Michigan utilities comply with new energy regulations

The new bills would block campaign money provided to Michigan’s energy companies

As climate change intensifies, Michigan utilities are struggling to maintain electricity

  • Michigan’s gray wolf population is at its highest in 14 years, according to DNR estimates
  • Traverse City streams to be treated for invasive sea lampreys
  • Startup UP receives grant to test whether mushrooms can clean up PFAS contaminants
  • Failure-prone Michigan businesses could face annual fines of $10 million
  • Petition to repeal Michigan’s Clean Energy Location Act skips 2024 ballot