Consumers Energy completes 250 MW solar site in Michigan | Projects Weekly
Happy New Year and welcome to the first Projects Weekly of 2026! We’re highlighting Consumers Energy beginning operations at Muskegon Solar in Michigan. Plus, Seminole Financial has closed on the refinancing of a 26 MWdc solar project portfolio with Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI), and CPS Energy has issued an RFP to acquire up to 500 MW of additional battery storage the San Antonio region. Keep reading for all the fine details!
Consumers Energy flips the switch on Michigan solar project
Consumers Energy has started operations at its Muskegon Solar facility in Michigan, the company’s largest solar project at 250 MW. Sitting on 1,900 acres at the Muskegon Resource Recovery Center, the project generates enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes and businesses.
“Consumers Energy is building the electric grid of the future to serve Michigan homes and businesses. Muskegon Solar provides an example of the reliable, cost-effective projects we’re creating to make sure we continue to meet our customers’ needs,” said Sri Maddipati, Consumers Energy’s president of electric supply.
Bright spot: Construction of the Muskegon Solar array created over 200 construction jobs in Muskegon, Michigan, located about 40 miles northwest of Grand Rapids along the shores of Lake Michigan. Muskegon Solar is by far the largest of Consumers Energy’s current solar projects, including three others at Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and in Cadillac. Muskegon Solar’s over 550,000 panels are arranged in 5,200 rows that rotate to follow the sun’s path, generating energy from sunrise to sunset.
“This project is a testament to the skill and dedication of the local men and women building it, and we’re proud to partner with Consumers Energy on such a landmark project for the region,” says Chad Cotter, a VP in the construction group at Burns & McDonnell.
Seminole Financial closes on $22M refinancing for solar portfolio
Seminole Financial Services has closed the refinancing of a 26 MWdc solar project portfolio with Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI), the North American renewable energy subsidiary of Libra Group. This portfolio includes six unique projects located in New York, Vermont, and Florida.
“By unlocking lower-cost capital on these operating assets, we’re demonstrating that well-structured, and managed solar investments continue to mature into highly attractive, low-risk infrastructure assets,” says Ahmar Zaman, CFO of Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure.
Bright spot: The new financing totals approximately $22 million USD and marks one of the first waves of solar project refinances of this kind for GSI. The loan is structured with a 6-year term and a 20-year amortization, maturing in 2031.
“This $22 million refinancing of our solar portfolio with Seminole Financial Services is an important milestone that demonstrates the strong long-term value and bankability of solar projects,” said Mazen Turk, CEO of Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure. “
This clean energy portfolio features standout sites including Elizabeth Mine in Vermont and the Stanton A and Stanton Landfill sites located on Orlando’s Utility Commission’s facility in Orlando, Florida, all of which were developed on former remediation sites. Additional sites in the portfolio include the Scotch Settlement Solar and the Lisbon East and West projects, all of which are located in New York State.
“The solar refinancing market is entering an exciting phase as thousands of projects reach operational maturity,” says Chris Diaz, co-CEO of Seminole Financial Services. “Seminole is uniquely positioned to meet this demand with our deep sector expertise and flexible capital solutions. Our work with Greenwood on this $22 million transaction is a blueprint for how we’ll continue to scale in this market.”
CPS Energy launches RFP for 500 MW of battery storage in San Antonio
CPS Energy has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to acquire up to 500 MW of additional battery storage. This latest RFP supports the utility’s previously approved Vision 2027 Generation Plan, which aims to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to the greater San Antonio area.
“This request to add more battery storage to our generation portfolio continues to fulfill our promise to deliver on the utility’s Vision 2027 Generation Plan,” says Rudy D. Garza, president and CEO of CPS Energy. “The RFP reinforces our team’s ongoing commitment to secure additional energy resources needed to keep pace with our community’s rapid growth.”
Bright spot: Upon completion of the RFP, the utility anticipates having more than 1,000 MW of operational or contracted storage capacity to serve its customers. To date, CPS Energy has brought 50 MW of storage capacity online as part of the Vision 2027 plan. An additional 470 MW is in development and expected to be online in 2026.
The RFP is also aligned with CPS Energy’s commitment to the City of San Antonio’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which, in addition to a continued commitment to generation resource diversity, pursues carbon neutrality by 2050.
The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, Jan. 30, at 11:45 p.m. CT. Submissions must be made using the Power Advocate Portal.
