Invenergy Announces Commercial Operations at Calhoun Solar Energy Center

Calhoun Solar is Invenergy’s first operational solar project in Michigan

CHICAGO (July 20, 2023) – Invenergy, the leading privately-held developer, owner and operator of sustainable energy solutions, announced that its 200-megawatt Calhoun Solar Energy Center in Michigan has started commercial operations.

Located in Calhoun County, Michigan, the Calhoun Solar Energy Center generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of 40,000 American homes. The project supported approximately 400 jobs during the construction period and will invest over $110 million in the local community through property taxes, landowner payments, and wages and benefits over the life of the project.

“We are proud to build on Invenergy’s successful track record of project development in Michigan with the Calhoun Solar Energy Center and are grateful to work alongside this community,” said Erin Kricher, Vice President, Development at Invenergy. “Calhoun Solar is another Invenergy project that will produce clean, reliable electricity, while investing in the clean energy economy right here in Michigan.”

Invenergy has entered into three separate long-term power purchase agreements (PPA) with Michigan-based energy providers for the output of the Calhoun Solar Energy Center. Consumers Energy purchased 140 megawatts, Michigan Public Power Agency purchased 50 megawatts, and Lansing Board of Water & Light purchased 10 megawatts.

“As a trusted partner focused on solving energy challenges, Invenergy is proud to support the ambitious energy goals of these Michigan energy providers with the clean and reliable energy generated from our first operational solar facility in the state,” said Rob Greskowiak, Vice President, Origination at Invenergy.

“Consumers Energy has one of the most aggressive clean energy plans in the nation, and Invenergy is helping us to deliver on those goals,” said Tim Sparks, vice president of electric supply for Consumers Energy. “We know that increasing our solar capacity is a key component to building the smarter, more reliable grid of the future, and we’re excited for the impact this partnership is going to make on the state’s renewables landscape.”

“The Calhoun Solar Energy Center is part of MPPA’s growing renewable energy portfolio that provides clean, affordable and Michigan based energy supply to the residents and businesses our Members serve throughout Michigan. We are excited to bring to commercial operation our third utility scale solar energy project in the last 4 years,” said Patrick Bowland, chief executive officer of MPPA.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this project, and continue expanding our renewable portfolio to serve our customers with clean, affordable energy,” said BWL General Manager Dick Peffley. “This addition of solar moves us closer to our clean energy goals, and reinforces our commitment to a greener region.”

About Invenergy

Invenergy drives innovation in energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, own, and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Invenergy’s home office is located in Chicago, and it has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Poland, and Scotland.

Invenergy and its affiliated companies have successfully developed more than 30,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including wind, solar, transmission infrastructure and natural gas power generation and advanced energy storage projects. Learn about Invenergy at Invenergy.com.

Holland Holiday Light Exchange

On November 15, 12-5p.m. Holland BPW held their annual Holiday Light exchange event for the community to have an opportunity to recycle incandescent string lights and receive free LED string lights.

  • Gave away
    • 1,200 LED string lights. (String lights were 24’ 105 ct.)
    • 1,000 A19 light bulbs
    • 500 BR bulbs
    • 500 nightlights
  • Recycled 1,200 pounds of incandescent string lights.

Read more about this great event in the Holland Sentinel 

MPPA Members Celebrate Public Power Week 2022

Michigan’s Public Power Utilities proudly celebrated Public Power Week, October 2-8 (the first full week of October). Public Power Week is the American Public Power Association’s annual national celebration recognizing the economic, social, and environmental contributions of our 2,000 hometown electric utilities across the nation that collectively serve 49 million Americans. Many Members opened their facilities for tours, hosted special events for family fun, and sponsored coloring contests for local students.

Andrew Boatright, General Manager of Zeeland BPW shared, “As a Public Power utility, we know it’s our duty to power our community…. By more than providing electricity. We are thrilled to encourage our young Zeelanders and support them in exploring their creativity,” said Boatright. “Pairing the coloring contest with Public Power Week helps celebrate the individuals in our community who keep us powered, while also providing education to our area students.”

“This year, we are focusing on educating the next generation of Lowell Light & Power customers on the benefits of public power,” said Lowell Light & Power General Manager Charlie West. “We are so proud to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to Lowell,” said West. “We hope that young people in our community and their families acknowledge this vital service and maybe even look to the utility as a good place to work down the road.”

Watch Lowell Light & Power discuss their Public Power Week celebration 

Watch Grand Haven Light & Power discuss their Public Power Week celebration