Ask the expert: What to know about renewable energy in Michigan

Large-scale solar, wind and battery storage projects are becoming increasingly visible across Michigan, bringing new questions for communities about land use, safety, costs and what happens to these facilities at the end of their useful lives.

Energy and renewable energy policy also have emerged as issues in Michigan’s 2026 election, as voters consider the state’s energy future and candidates debate how it should develop.

Mary Reilly, an educator with Michigan State University Extension specializing in government, policy and land use, works with local officials and residents to better understand renewable energy development and the planning and zoning issues surrounding it. In this Ask the Expert, Reilly explains what is driving renewable energy development in Michigan, addresses common misconceptions and discusses what communities should know when projects are proposed.

Renewable energy projects are getting a lot of attention across Michigan. What types of projects are communities seeing most often, and why is development increasing now?

There are a few things driving the increase in renewable energy development in Michigan. The cost of wind and solar has come down considerably over the last decade, and both technologies are competitive with natural gas. We’re also seeing more battery energy storage systems, or BESS, which can store energy when there is excess on the grid and send it back when demand is higher.

Michigan also adopted several key energy laws in 2023. Public Act 235 requires electric providers to achieve a 50% renewable energy portfolio by 2030 and 60% by 2035. Currently, utility-scale solar and battery energy storage are developing more rapidly in Michigan than new wind energy projects.

When we talk about “large-scale renewable energy,” what does that actually mean, and how are these projects different from renewable-energy systems used by individual homes and businesses?

Public Act 233 defines “large-scale” based on generating capacity. The law applies to solar projects of 50 megawatts or more, wind projects of 100 MW or more, and battery energy storage projects of at least 50 MW and 200 megawatt-hours of discharge capacity. These systems are much larger than those used by individual homes or businesses and are designed to put energy into the grid for transmission.

A utility-scale solar project generally uses about five to 10 acres per MW. In Michigan, large solar projects can range from roughly 600 to 1,800 acres or more. Battery storage projects have smaller footprints, typically about five to 40 acres.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions you hear about large-scale solar and wind energy projects?

One thing to remember is that technology changes over time. The wind turbine someone sees in a video from 2007 can be quite different from today’s turbines, as industry and regulators develop new standards.

Another misconception is that renewable energy only makes financial sense because of government subsidies. The cost of wind and solar has dropped significantly. When comparing the cost of building new sources of electricity, utility-scale wind and solar can compete with natural gas and can cost less than new coal or nuclear power, even without federal subsidies. Incentives can make projects more attractive, but they aren’t the only reason these projects are being built.

Land use is often one of the biggest concerns surrounding renewable energy projects. What should communities understand about the amount of land these projects require and their potential effects?

Ideally, communities are thinking about renewable energy before a project is proposed. A community’s Master Plan is where residents and local officials can identify priorities about what types and scales of renewable energy they want to encourage and where development should occur. For example, communities might prioritize solar development on brownfields, parking lots or former gravel pits.

When renewable energy is proposed on farmland, it’s important to consider opportunities for dual use. Farming can generally continue around wind turbines, and solar projects can accommodate activities such as sheep grazing or certain crops. Renewable energy also is only one reason farmland leaves production; residential and commercial development and changing agricultural economics also play a role.

What happens to solar panels, wind turbines and other equipment when a renewable energy project reaches the end of its useful life? Who is responsible for removing the equipment and restoring the land?

There are generally two options: repowering or decommissioning. Repowering replaces some or most of the equipment with newer technology so the facility can continue operating. With decommissioning, equipment and infrastructure are removed and the site is restored to a condition similar to what existed before the project.

Many materials, including steel, aluminum and copper, can be recycled, and solar panels can be recycled or reused. Other materials, such as some wind turbine blades, may end up in landfills.

Ultimately, the facility owner should be responsible for removing the equipment and restoring the land. Local governments have legal and financial tools to help ensure decommissioning occurs at the project owner’s cost.

Battery energy storage systems are increasingly part of the renewable-energy conversation. What are they, why are they needed and what should communities know about safety and emergency response?

Battery energy storage systems, or BESS, don’t generate electricity. They store electricity and return it to the grid when needed, helping balance supply and demand as more variable energy sources such as wind and solar are added.

For communities hosting BESS, emergency planning is important. Local fire departments should be involved early, and developers should provide appropriate equipment, training and resources. An emergency response plan also should be filed with the application and periodically reviewed.

Most BESS use lithium-ion batteries, which require different fire-response strategies than a typical building fire. National Fire Protection Association standards specifically address BESS fire and explosion risks, and testing and other safety measures continue to evolve.

What role do local governments and residents have when a large renewable-energy project is proposed, and what questions should they be asking as they evaluate a project?

The legal landscape changed significantly with Public Act 233 of 2023. Depending on a community’s ordinance and policy choices, the final siting decision for a large-scale project may be made locally or by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Residents can become involved before a project is proposed by participating in the Master Plan process and learning about their community’s renewable energy zoning. Once a project is proposed, residents can attend Planning Commission meetings, become familiar with the zoning ordinance and ask what standards apply to issues such as setbacks, sound and screening.

Public opinion is important, but Planning Commissions must make decisions based on ordinance standards. Residents can make their comments more useful by providing credible, fact-based information that relates to those standards.

MSU Extension will be holding Renewable Energy Fundamentals Workshops throughout the state this fall. Learn more and register for a workshop near your community.