SEIA Negotiates Agreement to Approve 584 MW of Michigan Solar Projects Under PURPA

WASHINGTON, DC — Today the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Consumers Energy, and a broad coalition of stakeholders filed a settlement agreement with the Michigan Public Service Commission that resolves concerns related to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). 

Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, Vice President of State Affairs at SEIA, about the settlement agreement: 

“Michigan energy consumers deserve access to clean, reliable solar power. For several months, SEIA worked alongside Consumers Energy and a broad group of stakeholders in Michigan to clear a backlog of solar energy projects waiting for approval as a qualifying facility under PURPA. 

SEIA and its allies developed a settlement agreement that can clear the PURPA queue and achieve the best possible outcomes for renewable energy developers and investors. Twenty solar developers representing 94% of the projects in the queue have signed onto this agreement. Under the settlement agreement, nearly 600 megawatts of solar projects and 400 qualifying facilities have the opportunity to move forward in Michigan. We urge the Michigan Public Service Commission to accept this settlement agreement and restore competition in the Michigan energy market.” 
 

About SEIA®: 

Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2019, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 242,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contact: 

Jen Bristol, SEIA’s Director of Communications, jbristol@seia.org (202) 556-2886