JACKSON, Mich. — Thirteen solar projects planned by two businesses and nine residential customers have been selected to move forward as part of Consumers Energy’s ongoing implementation of Michigan’s energy reform law.

The random-selection process for these qualified applicants is part of the company’s Experimental Advanced Renewables Program (EARP). The program provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by electric customers.

Business customer projects selected during this phase include two General Motors Co. projects located in Genesee County and a project owned by Courter Farms Land L.L.C., based in Gratiot County. The business customer-owned projects range in electric capacity from 42.5 kilowatts to 150 kilowatts.

The residential customer projects selected during this phase of the program are located in the following counties: Barry, Benzie, Calhoun, Eaton, Gratiot, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Newaygo. The customer-owned projects range in electricity capacity from 3.3 kilowatts to 20 kilowatts.

Consumers Energy will be conducting an information session on July 11, 2013, at the University of Michigan, Flint Campus, for anyone interested in learning about customer-installed solar energy systems. The session will be held at the Harding Mott University Center. The session is free of charge, open to the public, and will take place from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Speakers during the session will provide information on how customers can install their own solar energy systems as part of Consumers Energy’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program. Reservations for this session and information about the program are available at www.consumersenergy.com/EARP.

This session begins a new phase of the program as Consumers Energy has started accepting applications from electric residential customers this month. Applications will be due Aug. 7, 2013.

Consumers Energy’s program currently has contracts in place to purchase renewable energy from 191 customer-owned solar generators as part of the utility’s renewable energy plan.

For more information on the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program, visit www.consumersenergy.com/EARP.

Publication date: 7/8/2013

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