CMS Energy and BWL Announce Commercial Operation of Lansing-Area Solar Project, Providing Clean Energy to 4,200 Homes

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 29, 2018 – Officials today celebrated the opening of Delta Solar, Michigan’s largest tracking solar array that will provide the state’s capital city and region with clean energy.

Representatives of CMS Energy, the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) and EDF Renewables announced the 24-megawatt, two-part project is now fully operational during an event with community leaders this morning at the combined facility, west of I-96/I-69 and north of Sundance Highway in Delta Township. Delta Solar provides enough power to serve up to 4,200 homes.

“Delta Solar illustrates CMS Energy’s commitment to our triple bottom line – supporting people, the planet and Michigan’s prosperity,” said Patti Poppe, president and CEO of CMS Energy, which owns and operates Delta Solar through its subsidiary, CMS Enterprises. “CMS Energy is excited to help power Lansing-area homes and businesses with a project that leaves our planet better than we found it.”

“This project reinforces BWL’s commitment to providing our customers with 30 percent clean energy by 2020 and 40 percent by 2030,” said BWL General Manager Dick Peffley. “We know this is what our customers want and we’re committed to giving them a clean energy future.”

Delta Solar is located on about 200 acres in Delta Township in Eaton County. The project features over 86,000 solar panels that use modern single-axis tracking technology to follow the sun’s movement, capturing more energy than traditional fixed-tilt solar modules. The project was constructed using local skilled labor and provided over 100 jobs during construction.

The Lansing Board of Water & Light has a contract to purchase the power from Delta Solar, helping the municipal utility to achieve its renewable energy goals. CMS Enterprises owns and operates the project, which was originated, developed and constructed by EDF Renewables. CMS Enterprises will manage Delta Solar’s daily operations, with EDF Renewables providing long-term maintenance services.

“EDF Renewables commends the Lansing Board of Water & Light in leading the state and the capital region to turn toward a clean and secure energy future,” said Jamie Resor, CEO of EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions. “The success of this project is directly attributable to the support we received from the community, our partners BWL and CMS Energy, and our subcontractors and suppliers.”

CMS Enterprises has been active in developing renewable energy projects in Michigan and the region. It worked with EDF Renewables to develop the 2.5-megawatt Flambeau Solar power facility last year in northern Wisconsin. CMS Enterprises also recently closed on the purchase of the 105-megawatt Northwest Ohio Wind Project in Haviland, Ohio.

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