A solar farm is likely coming to Hillsdale Municipal Airport. Here’s why

The city of Hillsdale and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy will work to finalize a grant agreement in the coming weeks to establish a solar farm at the Hillsdale Municipal Airport to help reduce energy costs for low-income families. 

EGLE announced Hillsdale and seven other communities across Michigan are the first recipients under Solar for Savings, for a total investment of $7.9 million in clean energy. 

The solar farm project will assist low-income energy customers through the Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities.

Pollinator-friendly plants will be planted when the ground-mounted solar panels are installed, according to EGLE.

“This award will support the installation of a small solar array at the Hillsdale Municipal Airport, an exciting step to bring more renewable energy into our local mix in a way that makes it both practical and affordable for our community,” said Hillsdale City Manager and BPU Director Dave Mackie.

“By helping us reduce the cost of power, this project will allow us to deliver meaningful savings to our low-income customers and provide long-term benefits to all BPU ratepayers.”

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

Mackie said additional details will be shared with the BPU Board and Hillsdale City Council in the coming weeks.

EGLE’s Solar for Savings is federally funded. Hillsdale’s project will help lay the groundwork for the program’s future, as state officials work to distribute $156 million awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All Competition. 

— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.