Solar Power Plants In Michigan

This analysis is for a 5 kw photo voltaic system exposed to the average sunlight conditions of michigan.

Solar power plants in michigan.

Without policy support plant operators in michigan say they can t compete with wind solar and natural gas. Aside from the power output of the solar equipment you choose to install the amount of energy you generate with solar panels in michigan is directly related to the amount of sunlight that hits your panels. The wolverine state produces enough energy to power 25 530 homes which equals just about 0 25 of the electricity produced within the state. In 2015 dte built a 1 1 mw solar farm at domino s farms near ann arbor slightly larger than the ford carport.

Wood fired power plants across michigan s lower peninsula will continue operating through the 2020s but their life beyond that is uncertain amid declining wind and solar prices. Notable solar installations in michigan the watervliet solar power plant was completed in 2016. Additionally some michigan utility companies offer net metering which allows solar customers to receive a 1 to 1 credit for excess energy their solar power systems send back to the grid. In addition to solar power i m s generation fleet includes 450 megawatts of energy from indiana wind farms.

The great lakes state receives an average of 4 peak sun hours per day though improving solar technology and beneficial tax credits continue to make solar a viable option for homeowners in. This is a list of electricity generating power stations in michigan sorted by type and name in 2018 michigan had a total summer capacity of 29 720 mw through all of its power plants. Michigan has 240 solar companies that support over 4 000 jobs in the solar industry. Benefits of solar power in michigan michigan homeowners who add solar panels may be able to take advantage of the current 26 federal solar tax credit.

The solar energy industries association seia currently ranks michigan at 32nd for solar energy production. This makes solar power a sound investment because every unit of energy produced is worth more than the average price of electricity in the us. Michigan s energy mix in 2009 was 66 coal 22 nuclear 8 natural gas and 3 renewables. Although there are sunnier states than michigan the average electricity price is around 0 14 kwh which is above the national average.

But coal use has decreased to 32 in 2019 with natural gas and renewables increasing. When the newest plant is completed i m solar plants will generate up to 35 megawatts of electricity with enough energy to power 4 700 homes annually.