Consumers Energy proposes full wind and solar energy matching, sharing programs
Consumers Energy officials announced that it will submit a proposal this week with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to expand wind and solar offerings and allow subscribers to give clean energy benefits to others.
“Consumers Energy is committed to a clean energy future for Michigan, and our renewable offerings will allow our neighbors who also want to protect the planet to join us in that mission,” Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience, said. “We’re excited to break down barriers, expand accessibility, drastically lower costs and provide more options that accelerate new clean energy projects in our state.”
Under the new plan any customer would be able to use solar energy on some level, even if they cannot install rooftop solar. Consumers would halve the cost of monthly Solar Gardens subscriptions and build more community solar fields throughout Michigan to increase accessibility and affordability. At the same time, it wants to remove the cap on renewable energy programs and begin pumping out new wind and solar projects as quickly as customers’ interest calls for them.
The proposal would cut the costs of community solar by more than 50 percent and allow every customer to match all of their energy use with wind and solar. Currently, Consumers provides community solar energy projects in Cadillac, Michigan, as well as at Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University, and will match large businesses’ energy use with clean power.
Another major change going forward would be the company’s green giving initiative. That plan would allow landlords, businesses, nonprofits and individuals to buy renewable energy for someone else, offering them the financial and environmental benefits of wind and solar projects without self-investment.
