Harvest Energy installs three solar arrays in Michigan

With three new large solar array projects in Lenawee County, Mich., Harvest Energy Solutions is the first provider of solar energy to a utility in the region.

The three solar installations — each of which is capable of 1.0 megawatts of AC output — are owned by Stateline Farms, Gerken Paving, and Harvest Solar Lenawee. The energy produced by these systems will be sold to Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) based in Cassopolis, Mich. thanks to a program offered by Wolverine Power Co-op.

Harvest Energy partnered with MEC when Wolverine Power offered to purchase solar energy through their member-owned cooperatives. As part of the agreement, Wolverine said the power must be provided locally from an existing member of MEC in order to contribute to the local economy.

“Historically, taking on three projects of this size at once would be a big deal. But between the cooperation from the townships, MEC, and the Harvest team, the installations came together without a hitch and within the agreed upon tight schedule,” Ken Zebarah, territory sales manager at Harvest, said.

The solar projects created jobs in both Lenawee and Jackson counties, and employed local electricians, construction workers, engineers, and other professionals. Harvest, based in Jackson, Mich., hopes this will be the first of several installations to provide power to the utility.

“Through Wolverine Power and all other utilities in the State, solar programs and policies are constantly changing, so there is always opportunity for a variety of larger projects throughout the State,” Zebarah added. “We are actively pursuing land lease opportunities for larger projects, in addition to our typical scope of work of providing solar energy systems to residences, businesses, and farms.”