MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Construction on a massive solar energy project in Muskegon County began on Thursday morning.
Consumers Energy broke ground on the Muskegon Solar Energy Center, which officials said will power 40,000 homes.
Officials said the center will benefit local organizations because Consumers Energy will be paying lease payments on the property, which in turn, will generate revenue for groups like Ravenna Public Schools.
"The revenue coming in will allow us to help us with facility projects, staffing, contract negotiations and to just help our students perform better and help support teaching and learning," said Greg Helmer, the superintendent of Ravenna Public Schools.
The project will also ease costs for those using energy from the energy center. Consumers Energy leaders said solar energy is cheaper than energy produced from fossil fuels.
"The fuel is the sun," said David Hicks, vice president of renewables development and enterprise project management. "So for the next 35 years, we know exactly what the price of the fuel will be for this project. It'll be zero, and that savings, that fuel cost savings, and that stable cost, will be a benefit to our customers for decades to come."
Consumers Energy project leaders aim to have the center up and running by spring 2026.
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