Geronimo Energy begins work on two solar projects to supply Consumers Energy

Michigan will gain two new solar projects in the days ahead, as the construction of the facilities for Geronimo Energy began this week.

Handling construction is Michigan-based J. Ranck Electric, Inc., and standing to benefit from their conclusion is Consumers Energy, which has standing Power Purchase Agreements with Geronimo. The projects will bring 40 megawatts to approximately 8,000 Michigan homes. Though Consumers will purchase the energy, Geronimo will continue to own and operate both sites.

“We look forward to furthering Geronimo’s commitment to the state of Michigan,” David Reamer, president of Geronimo Energy, said. “Solar projects like these are not possible without the collective support of customers like Consumers, partners like J. Ranck, and local residents who live in the project communities. Together with these key stakeholders, we are excited to start construction and begin to provide the associated local benefits to the people in the great state of Michigan, such as new tax revenue, in-state spending, and job creation.”

To date, Geronimo has developed more than 2,400 MW of wind and solar projects throughout the country, including a 100 MW wind farm known as Apple Blossom from which Consumers has also benefited. When complete, the company — using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator — estimates the latest projects should offset carbon dioxide emissions by 50,000 metric tons annually.

“With these projects, we’ll put an estimated 120 Michigan construction workers on the job and further J. Ranck Electric’s role in growing our state’s renewable energy infrastructure,” Director Scott Walker, JRE’s Business Development, said. “We could not be more proud and excited to work with Consumers Energy and Geronimo to build these solar projects.”