On June 6, Wolverine Power Cooperative (G&T) and Spartan Renewable Energy dedicated the 1.2-MW SpartanSolar array in Cadillac, Michigan, the largest solar installation in northern Michigan.

Spartan, a for-profit member of Wolverine created in 2006 to provide renewable options in Michigan’s deregulated “choice” market, built the array across from the G&T’s headquarters on State Highway 55.

“Along the way at Wolverine, we have asked ourselves, ‘Is it always about the lowest-cost power, or is it also about the kind of power we provide?’” Eric Baker, president and CEO of Wolverine, said at the dedication. “This project is the culmination of our efforts to make solar power affordable and accessible to the rural citizens of Michigan.”

All of the Spartan array’s output is being sold to Wolverine under a long-term power-purchase agreement. Wolverine is in turn making a portion of the output available to its five distribution cooperative members as community solar.

“We’re planning for the future,” says Kim Molitor, president and CEO of Spartan. “Wolverine and its members believe that it takes a balanced portfolio and a willingness to be flexible. We believe in investing in Michigan’s future, and that includes renewables.”

See a timelapse video of the SpartanSolar construction here: https://www.spartansolar.com/spartansolar-wolverine-complete/

Return to the August cover story on generation and transmission solar projects.