The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) awarded $3.5 million in state funds as part of its first round of Renewables Ready Communities Awards (RRCA). The funding will help nine communities develop large-scale solar energy projects, expected to generate 700 megawatts (MW) of clean energy, enough to power 700,000 homes.
The nine grant recipients include Day Township in Montcalm County, given the largest award of $1.5 million, for the Freshwater Solar I & II projects, as well as several townships in Dickinson, Presque Isle, and Isabella counties that will share funding for new solar installations. The grants will enable these communities to invest in projects such as road repairs, energy-efficient public buildings, fire department upgrades, and more.
For more information about Michigan’s RRCA program, visit EGLE’s website.