Renewable Energy Academy

Renewable Energy Academy

The Renewable Energy Academy (REA) is a one-stop-shop for large-scale renewable energy in Michigan, hosting a hub for resources, tools, and experts in the field and providing no-cost technical assistance to communities.

Additionally, through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Reliable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program, the Energy Services Unit is partnering with the University of Michigan’s Graham Sustainability Institute, Michigan State University Extension, 5 Lakes Energy, the Michigan Association of Planning, and more to generate new materials and services to further empower the decision-making capacity of any interested party on the topic of large-scale renewable energy.

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Renewable Energy Academy Workshop

The Renewable Energy Academy workshop, designed and executed by EGLE Energy Services Unit, is an effort to consolidate the expertise, resources, and shared goals in the statewide utility-scale renewable energy space into one landing point.

Each workshop will be a four-hour long, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (with option to attend one hour of Renewable Energy Academy Office Hours), deep-dive into planning & zoning for renewable energy, from the basics of grid-connection to the specific zoning pathways each community should consider under the zoning and siting landscape of PA233.

Renewable Energy Academy Online

Part 1 – Introduction to Renewable Energy Slide cover

Part 1 - Introduction to Renewable Energy

Tune in to Part 1 of REA Online: Introduction to Renewables to improve your understanding of utility-scale renewable energy and its significance under the Michigan siting landscape. This comprehensive session covers key aspects of renewable energy, from technological insights to the benefits and concerns surrounding its development.

Download part 1 presentation
Part 2 – Processes and Pathways under Public Act 233 Slide picture

Part 2 – Processes and Pathways under Public Act 233

Tune in to Part 2 of REA Online: Processes and Pathways under Public Act 233, to get an in-depth exploration of the processes and pathways related to Public Act (PA) 233 of 2023. This video delves into compatible renewable energy ordinances (CREOs), state-level certifications, alternative incompatible pathways (workable and unworkable ordinances), and the benefits and downsides for each. This session is especially valuable for local officials and decision-makers, as it provides essential guidance for navigating PA 233.

Download part 2 presentation
Part 3 – Workable Zoning Ordinances Slide cover

Part 3 – Workable Zoning Ordinances

Tune in to Part 3 of REA Online: Workable Zoning Ordinances, where we dive into strategies that local governments can deploy to strike workability within their renewable energy zoning ordinances. Building upon the information provided in Parts 1 and 2 of the Renewable Energy Academy Online, Part 3 focuses on achieving a balance in ordinance design by strategically considering community priorities and common developer concerns.

Download part 3 presentation

Workshop highlights

Basics of renewable energy & planning and zoning for these technologies.
PA 233, the Zoning Pathways, and “Workability”
Guided Activities
Q&A throughout
Guest speaker from the Center for EmPowering Community, University of Michigan

Intended audiences

Local government officials, planning commissioners, planning staff, etc. of a municipality who has been approached by developers about utility-scale renewable projects or wants to prepare their municipality for the new siting legislation. (Interested public residents are not the intended audience for the REA Workshop but are recommended to watch the recorded webinars.)

Request technical assistance

The REA now offers technical assistance calls or presentations upon the invitation of a local government. Please email the contact below if you are interested. If you're not local government but have a question about large-scale renewable energy, please feel free to reach out.

Renewable Energy Academy speakers

EGLE Energy Services Unit

Ian O’Leary – OLearyI@Michigan.gov

Guest speakers: Graham Sustainability Institute: Center for EmPowering Communities

Madeleine Krol – Krol@umich.edu

PA 233 Guidance

Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

Navigating the New Renewable Energy Siting Legislation: Insights for Local Governments (recorded 8/21/24, 58min)
In November 2023, the Michigan legislature passed the Clean Energy Future Package and the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, which included legislation that drastically alters the landscape of siting renewable energy projects in the state. Local governments, from cities to villages to townships to counties, play a key role in siting renewable energy and are now faced with understanding and adapting to this new landscape. How can your community prepare for these changes and approach challenges? Attend this webinar to learn about planning and zoning for utility-scale renewable energy in the context of the new siting process.

Michigan Public Service Commission

Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Facility Siting Webpage (Recorded Workshops, Request Comments, Straw Proposal, Draft Application Instructions and Procedures, etc.)

Center for EmPowering Communities, Graham Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan

Planning and Zoning for Solar Energy Systems: A Guide for Michigan Local Governments, produced by Michigan State University and University of Michigan, includes an overview of solar energy, principles around how solar might fit within land-use patterns across the state, sample zoning ordinance language, and a training webinar on how to utilize it
Frequently Asked Questions about PA 233
Sample Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO): Sample zoning language for communities that wish to adopt a CREO. Local officials are strongly encouraged to consult with a municipal attorney before
Annotated Solar and Wind Zoning Templates: Annotated excerpts from two previously published sample renewable energy zoning templates (solar and wind) intended to help understand how provisions in PA 233 correspond to common zoning provisions and aid understanding of Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinances (CREOs).
Planning & Zoning for Battery Energy Storage Systems: Provides sample language to help municipalities incorporate battery energy storage systems (BESS) of all scales into their zoning ordinances. It also addresses zoning options for large-scale BESS, informed by Michigan’s new energy siting law, Public Act 233 of 2023.
Guidance on "Workable" Renewable Energy Ordinances: Compilation of ordinances that were in place during the permitting of large renewable energy projects in Michigan that were built from 2018 to 2023.

Michigan State University Extension

Michigan's Energy Infrastructure, video that provides an overview of Michigan's electricity system including an explanation of the grid, generation, and utility regulation.
Fundamentals of Agrivoltaics, video series that explains key concepts in dual-use solar projects and the considerations for implementing agrivoltaics.
Solar on Marginal Lands Fundamentals, video series examining considerations for solar projects on different land types including marginal lands, greyfields, brownfields, and farmland.
Fundamentals of Sound, video series with an overview of the basics of sound and key sound considerations when planning for renewables.
Fundamentals of Decommissioning, video detailing key concepts of renewable energy decommissioning, agreements with developers, and a solar case study in Michigan.

Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Guidance

EGLE’s Renewable Energy webpage is a general hub that provides resources on solar and wind energy for many different scales and audiences, including guidance on incorporating solar and wind into community plans and ordinances. For planning and zoning for utility-scale renewable energy in particular, the following are highly relevant:

R-STEP Renewable Energy Financial Projection Calculator, produced by 5 Lakes Energy, allows municipal planners to enter details of potential renewable energy projects in their region along with details from their zoning ordinance to predict whether project will pursue local siting
Planning and Zoning for Wind Energy Systems: A Guide for Michigan Local Governments, produced by experts from the University of Michigan and the Michigan State University Extension, provides an overview of wind energy principles, land-use considerations, and sample zoning information
Michigan Zoning Database
Clean Energy in Michigan Series
Planning and Zoning for Solar Energy Systems: A Guide for Local Governments in Michigan

EGLE has State and Federal funding available for various energy related projects, such as energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations (non-residential), clean technology development, EV charger installations, as well as funding for research and reports. Applications and Requests for Proposals (RFP) are available throughout the year.

Renewables Ready Communities Award

The Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA) is a funding opportunity a local government can receive for hosting and/or permitting eligible large-scale renewable energy projects.

Learn more about small-scale and community-scale renewable energy funding opportunities at EGLE

Overview

The Clean Energy Information Bureau is a group of renewable energy subject matter experts from across Michigan who help the Renewable Energy Academy team provide accurate technical assistance for frequently asked questions about large solar, wind, and batteries. Questions regarding the available topic areas can be submitted through the Request Form below. Upon submitting your request, the REA team will match you to an expert who will reach out to you shortly. Thank you for submitting a request for technical assistance. Any other inquiries can be submitted to the general EGLE contact listed at the bottom of this page.

Submit technical assistance requests here!

Available Expertise for Renewable Energy

Local Governance
Sound
Developer Perspective
Stormwater Managment
Property Values and Appraisal
Taxation
Fire Risk / Fire Codes
Municipal Law (Decommissioning, performance guarantee, etc.)
Materials Composition
... and more to come!

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) (Lead)

EGLE’s Energy Services Unit strives to promote healthy communities, economic growth, and environmental sustainability through energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. We support individuals, businesses, and communities by providing educational awareness as well as technical, financial, and referral assistance. EGLE offers a variety of programs each year to catalyze growth and jumpstart Michigan entities in reaching their own energy goals.
Learn more about EGLE Energy Services Unit
UM Graham Sustainability Institute: Center for EmPowering Communities

Graham Sustainability Institute mobilizes the expertise and passion of scholars, partners, and decision-makers to work together and bring world-class research to real-world sustainability challenges.
Learn more about UM Graham Sustainability Institute: Center for EmPowering Communities
Michigan State University Extension

Michigan State University Extension has been helping people address critical issues, needs and opportunities by delivering MSU's vast knowledge and resources directly to individuals, communities, and businesses. MSUE has a wide reach of associated professionals & experts, has developed several community engagement events regarding discussion about renewable energy, and has written widely used guidebooks for wind and solar zoning.
Learn more about Michigan State University Extension
5 Lakes Energy

5 Lakes Energy is a Michigan-based policy consulting firm dedicated to advancing policies and programs that promote clean energy and sound water policy for a resilient environment. They have the capacity to develop useful visualizations and modeling tools in adopting and accelerating sustainable practices.
Learn more about 5 Lakes Energy
Michigan Association of Planning

Michigan Association of Planning is dedicated to promoting sound community planning that benefits the residents of Michigan, and to promoting quality community planning through education, information and advocacy, statewide.
Learn more about Michigan Association of Planning