Consumers Energy selects customer-initiated solar projects in Kent, Saginaw and Jackson, Michigan, for next phase of its Experimental Advanced Renewable Program, which provides for long-term purchase of renewable energy from utility's electric customers

Graziela Medina Shepnick

JACKSON, Michigan , November 1, 2011 (press release) – Customer-initiated solar projects in Kent, Saginaw and Jackson counties have been selected as participants in the next phase of Consumers Energy’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program. The program provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by the utility’s electric customers.

The three projects are all non-residential and were recently selected during a random drawing of qualified applicants.

The three projects are:

* 24 kilowatt (kW) system owned by City of Saginaw, to be constructed on its Department of Public Works Building;

* 150 kW system owned by City of Jackson, to be constructed at its wastewater treatment plant;

* 10 kW system owned by the Blue Water Grill in Grand Rapids. The Blue Water Grill is part of the Gilmore Collection.

“We’re pleased to work with interested customers on growing solar energy in Michigan. This initiative supports Consumers Energy’s goal of providing a balanced energy resource for our customers,” said David Ronk, Consumers Energy’s director of transactions and resource planning.

Consumers Energy’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program was recently expanded to include an additional 3 megawatts following approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Customer installations under earlier phases of the program added 2 megawatts of solar energy, resulting from solar panel installations at 102 locations throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

More information on the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program is available at: www.consumersenergy.com/EARP

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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