The Sunfish Solar 2 project is an upcoming plant that is the first phase in the 1-GW planned Hecate Energy solar project. The 360 MW plant is located in Calhoun County, Michigan. The state was specifically chosen because it only gets 12.5% of its electricity from clean, renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydropower. As such, the state has committed to achieving 50% carbon neutrality by 2030. This has seen a surge in solar and wind project developments in the state. In addition to achieving the state’s goals, the plant will offset nearly 1,560,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually once completed. equivalent to removing more than 308,000 passenger vehicles from the road each year.
Also Read: University of Michigan creates 100% zero-waste construction material
Completion Date
The project is expected to be completed in the next two years. It will make 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable electricity per year, enough power to supply approximately 183,500 homes in the state. Additionally, nearly 350 jobs will be introduced when construction is at its peak. The project’s capital cost has been estimated to be US$453 million for this phase alone. The Sunfish Solar 2 project site spans 1,300 acres. It will feature 620,000 bifacial solar panels with cutting-edge technology enables both sides of the panels to absorb sunlight. This maximizes energy efficiency.
Also Read: Michigan’s Henry Ford Hospital New Expansion Project Destination Grand
Bechtel and Hecate collaboration
Earlier this week, Hecate Energy announced that it has selected Bechtel to construct and design the Sunfish Solar 2. The company has completed over 25,000 projects in 160 countries across all continents since its creation in 1898. It is located in Reston, Virginia. Hecate Energy has built and operates solar farms in 17 states including Florida, California and Georgia. The company was founded in 2012 and is in the process of developing over 40,000 megawatts of power projects. The largest facility built by Hecate is the 156 MW Beacon Solar plant in Mohave, California.
Also Read: Construction of Africa’s Largest Solar PV and First Utility-Scale BESS in Egypt
The Coldwater Solar project in Michigan
The Coldwater Solar project in Michigan is another project making headway in the state as it recently signed a power purchase agreement (PPA).The 150 MW project led by Apex Clean Energy will make over US$30 million in new tax revenue. Additionally, more than US$35 million will be contributed to landowners and community participants. What’s more, over 200 jobs will be created during peak construction. The project is located in Coldwater and Ovid Townships in Branch County.
The Coldwater Solar project has received special use permits from both townships and is currently under construction as of Fall 2024. It is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2025. The project is one of the first in the state to utilize a new, bipartisan payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) program that guarantees consistent new revenue for host communities.
Also Read Swift Energy closes investment with Google for 800MW solar project
Project Overview
Project Name: Sunfish Solar 2
Power output: 360MW
Location: Calhoun County, Michigan
Developer: Hecate Energy
Contractor: Bechtel
Capital Cost: US$ 453 million
Number of panels: 620,000 bifacial solar panels
Project size: 1,300 acres
Completion date: 2026
