Deep in the UP, an abandoned mine could offer hope for green energy fights
Article link: Bridge Michigan
Novemver 27, 2024
Michigan needs lots of land to meet energy goals, but communities often object to wind and solar farms
In the UP, plans for a solar array on a closed mine were approved without much controversy
Advocates say the model could provide hope to other projects
Elise Matz of Circle Power Renewables studies a map showing the layout of a proposed 120-megawatt solar project that would occupy part of the former Groveland Mine site in Dickinson County. (Bridge photo by Kelly House)
FELCH TOWNSHIP — Solar power panels soon could stretch across a former open-pit iron mine here, atop land now polluted with tangled rebar, broken glass and crushed waste rock.
Royal Oak-based Circle Power Renewables plans to soon break ground on a 120-megawatt array at the former Groveland Mine site in Dickinson County, eventually covering some 500 acres with enough solar panels to power 17,600 homes.
Unlike many other energy arrays nowadays, local governments approved the proposal without much fuss. The 185,000-panel project is expected to be up and running in 2028 and operate for at least 30 years.
The secret to its success: The project is on property nobody else wants. That’s a possible breakthrough to stalemates that are now routine over industrial-scale wind and solar farm proposals amid Michigan’s transition to cleaner energy.
Full article: Deep in the UP, an abandoned mine could offer hope for green energy fights | Bridge Michigan
The article "Deep in the UP, an abandoned mine could offer hope for green energy fights" highlights an essential and exciting shift in renewable energy development—utilizing brownfields and other "orphan" industrial sites for solar projects. This approach not only addresses Michigan's ambitious energy goals but also sidesteps many of the common objections communities raise against turning farmland or undeveloped landscapes into energy arrays. The Groveland Mine project, in particular, sets a promising precedent as a win-win, converting a long-neglected eyesore into a source of clean energy, local tax revenue, and community investment.
At Lightstar, we strongly support this innovative use of land for solar energy. We consider every project as an opportunity to maximize land benefits for both the environment and the community. Beyond bringing brownfields back to life by harnessing solar power, we specialize in integrating specialty crops between rows of panels, cultivating pollinator-friendly habitats with prairie grass ecosystems, and finding ways to restore ecological balance.
Michigan’s model of leveraging abandoned industrial properties is one we hope to see replicated nationwide. Not only does it help reduce opposition from locals, but it also reinforces the idea that renewable energy development doesn’t have to compete with agriculture or untouched green spaces. Instead, it can bring new purpose to sites that seemed destined to remain unused and unproductive. We’re excited to see how this trend evolves and will certainly continue championing these efforts to align solar innovation with meaningful land stewardship.
With the increasing urgency to transition to clean and sustainable energy sources, it is crucial to find creative solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities. The use of abandoned industrial sites for solar projects is a prime example of this, as it not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also revitalizes neglected land and supports economic growth.
Full article: Deep in the UP, an abandoned mine could offer hope for green energy fights | Bridge Michigan
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