SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MI -- A massive solar farm project, potentially the largest of its kind in Michigan, has been approved by the Shiawassee County Planning Commission. Ranger Power said in a news release that a special use permit that will allow its proposed $259-million development to begin was unanimously approved by county planners in a meeting Wednesday, Jan. 24. The company’s statement says it expects to begin construction on the project, which covers more than 1,200 acres in Hazelton and Venice townships, late this year. MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach a county spokesman for comment on the approval, but Shiawassee officials, including elected officials from both townships, have expressed support for the solar farm, which backers say will bring hundreds of construction jobs and additional economic development to the area. Documents filed by Ranger with the county show the company proposes to use vacant and farm land to house self-powered, east-west tracking solar panels -- a setup that’s projected to generate up to 239 megawatts of power. The project is the largest currently planned in Michigan when measured in terms of potential energy output -- enough to power 35,000 typical Michigan homes.
New York-based developer Ranger Power has been given the green light for a $259m, more than 35,000 MW solar farm. The scheme, set to be the largest of its kind in Michigan, was unanimously approved by the Shiawassee County planning commission. Ranger Power said construction work will begin later this year and, when completed, the facility would generate enough electricity to supply 239 homes.