Calhoun Solar Energy Center Commences Commercial Operation

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Invenergy has announced the completion and commercial operation of the 200MW Calhoun Solar Energy Center in Calhoun County.

Traverse City Light and Power is excited to be a part of the Calhoun Solar Energy Center, which will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 40,000 homes each year, according to the project’s developers in a recent press release. 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.

Traverse City Light and Power (TCLP) works collectively with other municipally owned utilities through the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA), a not-for-profit municipal power supply joint action agency, to share power supply and related services to lower costs, reduce risks, and leverage expertise. Through MPPA, TCLP joins 16 other Michigan communities in this exciting renewable energy project. On behalf of its Members, MPPA has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement for 50 megawatts from the solar project. “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 that our Members serve throughout Michigan. We are excited to bring to commercial operation our third utility-scale solar energy project in the last four years,” said Patrick Bowland, chief executive officer of MPPA. MPPA, through the support and commitment of its member communities, has committed approximately $1 billion toward the purchase of renewable energy in the last decade to help its Members achieve their environmental goals.

“TCLP is pleased to partner with other Michigan municipal utilities through MPPA to provide our customers with reliable, cost-effective, and clean energy that supports planet health through a diversified portfolio of resources,” said Brandie Ekren, TCLP’s Executive Director.  

TCLP began providing electricity to local residents and businesses in 1912 and is community-owned and operated.