Consumers Energy Announces Plans for New Solar Array in Northeast Michigan to Help Meet Customers’ Energy Needs

Alcona County, Mich. Friday, September 26, 2025

Consumers Energy announced today it’s developing plans for Gustin Solar in Northeast Michigan to help meet Michigan’s future energy needs.

“We want our customers to know they can count on us to develop new sources of energy as Michigan continues to grow. We can meet their needs with reliable energy produced right here in our state,” said Sri Maddipati, Consumers Energy’s president of electric supply.

Consumers Energy is sharing information about Gustin Solar and working with residents of Gustin and Harrisville townships in Alcona County, where the project will be built. Construction should start in mid-2026 with a goal to start operations by July 2029. Gustin Solar includes a smaller project once called Sapling Solar, which has been transferred to Consumers Energy from a developer.

Gustin Solar will generate 335 megawatts of energy, enough to power about 60,000 homes. Projects like this are part of a balanced mix of Michigan energy sources that Consumers Energy uses to reliably provide energy to nearly 2 million homes and businesses 24/7/365.

“We’re grateful for the positive reception we’ve received from property owners and elected leaders in these communities,” Maddipati said. “We are confident we will develop a project that offers benefits locally as well as serve our entire state.”

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. 

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Media Contact: Brian Wheeler, 517-740-1545 or brian.wheeler@cmsenergy.com