Commercial, Distributed Generation, Regulation, Sourcing Renewables  -  March 9, 2016

Corporate renewable energy purchases taking hold in Michigan

Michigan is in the news today because U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders' upset former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the presidential election primary in the state, but Michigan is also getting noticed for its moves to facilitate corporate renewable energy purchases.

Smart Energy Decisions reported in January that data center company Switch agreed to construct a new facility near Grand Rapids, Mich., that would be 100% powered with renewable energy. It now appears the structure of that deal is being used as a template for similar agreements with other companies interested in buying clean power.

"Experts say private investment in renewable energy in Michigan over the next several years is poised for major growth regardless of the anticipated slowdown in investments by Consumers and DTE, the state's two investor-owned utilities,” according to a recent article from Crain’s Detroit Business.

The article continues:

Herman Miller Inc., Amway Corp. and Dow Chemical Co. have been able to purchase renewable energy from independent power producers under Michigan's retail open access programs. And other companies on the hunt for renewable energy sources to power Michigan operations include Google, Nestlé, Ford Motor Co. and Whirlpool Corp. There also is interest for consumer-oriented retail space when it comes to going green. Ikea has built the state's largest solar array, a 977-kilowatt project, at its Canton Township store. And other retailers, such as Target and Wal-Mart, have said they intend to build more rooftop solar.

With renewable energy costs expected to continue to decline and Michigan signing renewable energy-friendly policies, more corporations could start looking to power their operations in the state with renewables.

Read These Related Articles:

• Bolstered by Google, Dow Chemical, nonutility buyers made up 19% of Q2 wind capacity contracts
• Renewable Energy Buyers' Principles adds 6 new participants to growing list of large-scale names
• Greenpeace praises Switch in clean energy rankings
• First-time corporate renewable energy buyers breathing down Google’s neck
• Ohio businesses push Legislature on clean energy