UNION CITY, Mich. — Sauk Solar Park has officially gone online in Union City.

The largest solar park in Michigan,Sauk Solar Park spans 900 acres in a rural area off of West Hayner Road, according to DTE Energy.

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Comprised of350,000 panels that use 150 megawatts, the park is expected to power 40,000 homes in Branch County.

It also serves as part of DTE Energy’s efforts to bring clean, renewable energy to Michigan and achieve their goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“It really helps us to partner with the community, bring in revenue once the solar park is in operation,” Renee Tomina, senior vice president of project management at DTE, said. “It also helps us to create jobs for the local folks who work in the community. They often will spend those wages in the community where they work, and that’s going to help local grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses.”

DTE has worked closely with officials in Branch County on the project since 2020. Construction began on the panels in late 2023.

Bud Norman, a Branch County Administrator, appreciated the genuine relationships DTE Energy wanted to build with the people in the area.

“DTE doesn’t just come in here and just get a project, leave, and walk off, and all they’re doing is a project,” Norman said. “They really endeavored to be a part of the community.”

Along with powering homes, DTE Energy expects the new solar park to help farmers in the area, a major element of the economy in Branch County.

“It’s a way for them to be able to hold on to the family farm but also be able to create additional revenue, and able to keep the farm in the family and maybe offer something to their future generations,” Joe Musallam, vice president of renewable energy sales at DTE, said.

DTE has more projects like the Sauk Solar Park in the works.

A map of current projects can be found online.