Southern Michigan solar farm inks power deal with Consumers Energy

When a Calhoun County solar farm opens for operation in 2020 or 2021, it will already have its largest customer under contract. Consumers Energy has agreed to purchase solar power for 20 years from Ranger Power’s River Fork Solar energy facility, which is set to be built in Sheridan Township. Ranger Power will provide up to 100 megawatts of power at any given time, through the contract. That accounts for about two-thirds of the site’s output. On the average day, Consumers Energy is using 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of power, spokesman Brian Wheeler said. Financial terms of the deal aren't being shared, Wheeler said. Ranger Power was selected for the deal through a competitive bidding process, Consumers Energy said in a press release. The deal still needs to be approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. The project site is set just north of I-94 between 26 Mile and 29 Mile roads. River Fork Solar will have more than 500,000 solar modules once the $150 million project is completed. It’s projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 244,000 tons each year, which is equivalent to the yearly emissions of more than 77,000 vehicles.