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MI Solar Access

Solar panels at DTE Energy solar farm near Lapeer.
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

MI Solar Access

Energy Services will continue the expansion of the Clean Energy for Low- to Moderate- Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) pilot projects and MI Solarize into a program called MI Solar Access. MI Solar Access will involve an electric utility or nonprofit organization that is willing to implement a community solar array pilot program or energy storage system within a municipal or cooperative electric utility territory, and a small or medium sized business interested in the MI Solarize program. The MI Solar Access Program will potentially increase strategies for energy savings and access to solar energy for communities. This program will support households move toward energy self-sufficiency and climate resiliency by assisting them with reducing their electricity usage, energy burden, climate preparedness, and access to renewable energy.

Goals:

Supporting households on a path towards energy self-sufficiency and climate resilience by assisting them with reducing their electricity usage, energy burden, climate preparedness and access to renewable energy. 

  • Provide low-to-moderate-income communities access to renewable energy,
  • Pilot program is municipal or cooperative electric utility territories,
  • Onboarding subscribes who cannot afford building solar energy by themselves, and
  • Create a locally designed subscription structure that addresses the community needs.

Contact

Hunter VanRiper
VanRiperH1@Michigan.gov
517-420-3481

Eligibility Requirements: 

Applicants must:

  • Be an electric utility or nonprofit organization willing to implement a community solar array pilot program or energy storage system within a municipal or cooperative electric utility territory,
  • Experienced nonprofit organization that provides weatherization and willing to participate,
  • Interested small or medium sized business in the MI Solarize program, and
  • Have an existing community solar array or plan to have an existing array built within the community in the current fiscal year. 

Funding Amount: 

A total of $320,000 is expected to be made available for this funding opportunity. 

Tentative Timeline

Early March 2024

Marketing/Outreach Begins

Mid-March 2024

Solicitation Release Date & Posting

Mid-April 2024

Questions Due Regarding Posting

Late April 2024

Changes and Responses to Questions

Early August 2024

Solicitations Accepted and Awarded until Funding is Depleted
Late August 2025 Last Payment Request Due

 

Application Documents:

MI Solar Access Request for Proposals
MI Solar Access Online Application
Sample Grant Agreement

Resources:

MI Solar Access Overview
MI Solar Communities
MI Solar Access FAQs