BWL solar array reaches one-year
milestone in clean energy generation

Michigan’s largest solar array, owned and operated by the Lansing Board of Water & Light, is approaching its one-year anniversary of generating clean energy to BWL customers.

The BWL powered up the Cedar Street Solar Array on Dec. 23, 2008. General Manager J. Peter Lark “threw the switch” that officially signaled the BWL’s entry into the Solar Age.

“In the past year, we have delivered clean, renewable energy to our customers while reducing our carbon footprint,” Lark said. “In just one year, our solar array has prevented 85 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted into atmosphere.”

The solar array, located near downtown Lansing, consists of 432 solar panels. They provide electricity sufficient to power about 50 Lansing-area homes. The panels are manufactured by a Michigan company, and are capable of generating electricity even when skies are overcast.

As the technology for solar panels improves, and as prices come down, the BWL anticipates building more solar arrays in its service territory. “We are high on solar power because solar arrays are most productive during peak times – on hot, sunny days when the cost of electricity is highest,” Lark said. “Our Cedar Street Solar Array is just the beginning.”

In 2007, the BWL became the first utility in Michigan to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard. The BWL is the largest publicly owned utility in Michigan, serving more than 96,000 electric customers. ###

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