National Grid Renewables announces operations at Bingham and Temperance solar plants
Two new Michigan solar projects are now operational and delivering up to 40 MW of carbon free power to the region.
National Grid Renewables announced work was completed at Bingham Solar and Temperance Solar, both part of the company’s MiSolar Portfolio. National Grid Renewables owns both projects, which will generate under power purchase agreements with utility Consumers Energy.
The developer kept the construction work as local as possible. Michigan-based contractor J. Ranck Electric handled engineering, procurement and construction duties, employing about 160 workers, most of which came from within 100 miles of each site.
“Our company has a long history in Michigan, and we are proud to support the state and local economies through the creation of new tax revenue and jobs that result from these projects,” stated David Reamer, Head of Development, US Onshore Renewables for National Grid Renewables. “Thank you to the residents of Clinton and Monroe Counties for welcoming us into your communities.”
Subcontractors included Michigan-based The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company, based out of Reed City.
“The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company was proud to help construct the MiSolar Portfolio,” stated Neil Wallerstrom, General Foreman, The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company. “Solar projects like the MiSolar Portfolio provide economic benefits for Michigan residents at the local and state level. Throughout the construction process of both project substations, we were able to hire Michigan residents and were pleased to support local hardware stores, hotels, and restaurants.”
Now operational, three full-time operations and maintenance staff work at the MiSolar project sites. During the first 20 years of operation, MiSolar is projected to further benefit the community through the creation of approximately $6 million in new tax revenue, based on current Michigan law.
Throughout that same time period, using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator, the combined projects are estimated to offset carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50,000 metric tons annually.
Source: Renewable Energy