Cheboygan County solar project receives $275,000 from EGLE

A solar project in Cheboygan County’s Grant Township was recently awarded funding from the state’s Renewables Ready Communities Awards. 

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), nine projects related to solar power and battery storage were included in the seventh round of funding through this program. 

“These awards demonstrate EGLE’s commitment to partnering with communities to build Michigan’s clean energy future,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos in the Thursday, Feb. 5 announcement. “Through the Renewables Ready Communities program, local governments are gaining the resources they need to reinvest in public safety, essential services and projects that strengthen their communities.” 

The Renewables Ready Communities Awards program offers flexible funding to local governments for community improvements and infrastructure projects and services. This program is intended to incentivize communities to host large-scale renewable energy projects such as wind, solar and battery storage by providing awards that supplement the project’s tax revenue and community benefits.  

The latest round of awards totals $3.87 million and supports nine local units of government. Half of each award is disbursed upon the start of the project’s construction, and the other half after construction is underway.

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In Cheboygan County, Grant Township was awarded $275,000 for hosting Northern Waters Solar, a 110 MW solar project with an expected construction date of June 2027 and operation date of December 2028. 

According to past reporting, Northern Waters Solar is being developed by EDP Renewables North America. It is located on 1,700 acres of privately-owned land bound by Trudeau Road to the west and Chamberlain Road to the east and then on either side of Twin Lakes Road and North Black River Road.

Once operational it is expected to produce power for more than 30,000 homes.