Consumers Energy breaks ground near Jackson on its fourth Solar Gardens site, expanding renewable energy access to thousands of Michigan residents.

JACKSON, MI — Consumers Energy officially began construction on its Blackman Solar Gardens project this month, marking a major step in expanding community solar energy in Michigan. The 30-acre installation, located near Jackson in Blackman Township, is designed to generate up to 2.5 megawatts of clean electricity and serve approximately 2,500 customers through the utility’s growing Solar Gardens program.

The project was launched with a ceremonial groundbreaking that included representatives from Consumers Energy, local government, and construction contractor Kokosing.

This is Consumers Energy’s fourth Solar Gardens installation, joining existing sites in Cadillac, at Western Michigan University, and at Grand Valley State University. According to the company, Blackman Solar will feature approximately 5,000 solar panels, bringing new renewable capacity online by the end of 2025.

David Hicks, Consumers Energy’s vice president of clean energy development, framed the project as a blend of environmental responsibility and economic sense. “Renewable energy is increasingly cost competitive and provides flexibility to respond to emerging needs,” Hicks said, emphasizing the utility’s focus on “affordably powering Michigan’s homes and businesses.”

Solar Gardens is a subscription-based community solar initiative, allowing residential customers to invest in solar energy without installing rooftop panels. Instead, participants receive bill credits based on the energy produced by Consumers’ solar arrays.

The Blackman site is expected to help thousands of Michigan residents offset their carbon footprint, with the utility touting it as an accessible, cost-effective pathway toward energy sustainability. The company says this setup is ideal for renters, condo owners, or anyone without the option for private solar installation.

Consumers Energy supplies electricity and/or natural gas to 6.8 million residents across 68 Lower Peninsula counties — nearly two-thirds of Michigan’s population. The Blackman Solar Gardens project supports the utility’s broader commitment to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, aligning with statewide efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase grid flexibility.

While the utility did not disclose the total construction cost, the development is part of a long-term clean energy transition Consumers Energy has pledged in its Integrated Resource Plan, which targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Community solar programs like Solar Gardens have been gaining popularity nationwide, particularly in states like Michigan where the climate and housing types may not support widespread rooftop solar. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, shared solar initiatives can triple national solar capacity by 2030 if scaled aggressively.

Blackman Solar adds to Michigan’s relatively modest but growing portfolio of solar infrastructure. As of early 2025, solar made up just under 3% of Michigan’s energy mix, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

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