A solar energy park is being built near Sheridan

BUSHNELL TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Work has begun in the Sheridan area to transform the landscape of more than 590 acres.

DTE Energy officials, along with area leaders and landowners, have begun work on the new Fish Creek Solar Park, a 132-MW clean energy facility. The DTE-led project is a step toward achieving the company’s – and the state of Michigan’s – renewable energy goals.

“We have set very stringent carbon reduction goals, and Michigan recently passed legislation that wants 60% of our baseload generation to be powered by renewable energy sources by 2030,” Joe Musallam, vice president of renewable energy sales and development projects at DTE, he said. “This type of project is a step in that direction.”

Michigan will implement ambitious clean energy mandates to produce carbon-free electricity by 2040

Fish Creek Solar Park, one of three new solar projects recently approved by the Michigan Public Utilities Commission, will feature approximately 320,000 solar panels. Once completed, it will produce enough clean energy to power 30,000 homes in Michigan.

Local landowner John Jones leased his 40 acres to DTE for the project. He inherited the farm from his parents and said that instead of using the land to grow corn or soybeans, he would grow energy.

“I see this as an opportunity that not only serves the needs of my immediate family, but I think it also serves the entire community because as a country we’re going to need a lot of energy from all sources in the future and this is one of them,” Jones said. “It’s good for the climate and I think anything that increases the overall energy supply from a supply and demand perspective is generally good for the consumer because it brings prices down.”

The new photovoltaic park is free for customers. It is funded by DTE Electric customers who opt-in MiGreenPower voluntary renewable energy program. The investment is expected to be completed within the next year or up to 18 months.

Find the latest news, weather, sports and video streaming on WOODTV.com.