A 20-acre, 3.35-megawatt solar field could be coming to Whiteford Township.
It’s proposed for a portion of land at Whiteford Valley Golf Club, 7980 Beck Road. The golf club will continue to operate.
“Pivot Energy has not submitted any permits or site plans to the township. At this point, they have only had an open house meeting with residents to answer questions,” said Jeff Thomas, Whiteford Township supervisor.
Founded in 2009, Pivot Energy, based in Denver, Colorado, said it’s “a national renewable energy provider and independent power producer that develops, owns and operates solar and energy storage projects.”
In an email message to The Monroe News, Pivot Energy said, “This proposed Pivot Energy solar project (for Whiteford Township) is currently in the early stage of the process. An interconnection agreement with the utility has not been signed, and permit applications for the project have not been submitted to Whiteford Township.”
Pivot Energy said it plans to submit a permit application to Whiteford Township in late May.
“If this project moves forward, construction likely would not start until early 2028. After six to nine months of construction, the project will operate for 20-30 years,” Pivot Energy said in the email message.
“Pivot Energy has six (other) solar projects in Michigan that will start construction at the end of this year and in early 2027. They are located in Allegan, Mecosta, Hillsdale and Calhoun counties,” according to the email.
In late April, Georgia O’Neill, manager of project development for Pivot Energy, sent a letter to Whiteford Township residents located within 1,000 feet of the proposal project site.
O’Neill said Pivot Energy’s focus is “developing community-scale solar projects the generate affordable energy and boost the local economy.”
O’Neill invited Whiteford residents to a community open house with Pivot Energy representatives. Attendees could ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed project.
“There were approximately 20-25 people (local residents and community members) who attended,” Pivot Energy said in the email.
Open house attendees asked about vegetative screening, potential environmental impacts, property values and the amount of energy this project would produce.
Pivot Energy’s answers to open house questions
Could livestock graze at the proposed Whiteford site?
Pivot Energy released sheep at its solar field in Dunlap, Ill.
“Pivot Energy is committed to 100% dual-use practices on its ground-mounted solar sites. The company currently utilizes livestock grazing, enhanced habitat and crop production at sites in seven states. If the (Whiteford Township) project is approved, Pivot would work with local government and local farm partners to design the best dual-use application for the Whiteford Township site,” Pivot Energy said in an email.
“The demand for energy is increasing, which is driving the need for other sources of energy generation,” Pivot Energy said in the email. “Solar energy is the fastest and least expensive source of energy to develop. Pivot Energy’s solar projects will provide an alternative source of energy that is locally produced, helps improve grid reliability and reduces the reliance on other forms of energy used in the area. It also supports energy independence and stabilizes electricity costs.”
“Solar, which is taxed at a higher rate than the current agricultural zoning of the land, generates more tax revenue for the township (that Pivot Energy pays) for already established taxing districts,” according to the email message. “In addition, Pivot Energy provides a community investment for every project it develops, which is a donation ($5,000 per megawatt) to a local nonprofit or organization, supporting energy burden reduction, workforce development or land stewardship efforts.”
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 20-acre solar field may be coming to Whiteford Township. What we know
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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