Solar Development in Michigan
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Site control
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Market, environmental, geological assessment
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Interconnection costs
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Utilities partnership
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Grid access
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Timeline
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Risk mitigation
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Project Finance
It all started with Google Earth Arc GIS
Site Assessment
Site Analysis
Investigations in wetlands, floodplains, soil types, shading, road access, wildlife, grid access, slope that ensure the site is feasible for constructions with sufficient sunlight.
Site Control
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Land acquisition: 120 acres
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Leasing: $800/acres, 1.5% escalator
Interconnection
The interconnection costs vary within the range of $20,000 to $26,800, and the timeline for completion spans between 6 to 13 months, depending on whether supplemental review and facilities study will be a part of the project’s interconnection process.
There are three-phase distribution lines that can carry electricity from Site 1 to a substation 1.56 miles away. Since the substation is more than one mile away, the three-phase distribution lines will have to be upgraded. The total interconnection cost including the base interconnection cost and upgrade costs is $1.66M.
Interconnection studies is done by determination of substation connection interconnect with Consumers Energy Co, an investor-owned utility (IOU) serving Ionia County. It will be processed following the fast track for projects up to 5 MW-AC requesting to connect to the low-voltage distribution system. The interconnection process and expected timeline are listed as the chart.
