JACKSON — Solar projects planned by five business and 16 residential customers have been selected to move forward as part of Consumers Energy’s ongoing implementation of Michigan’s energy reform law.

The random-selection process for these qualified applicants is part of the utility’s Experimental Advanced Renewables Program.  The program provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by the utility’s electric customers.

Business customers planning a solar project and selected during this phase include:  Midland Professional Suites Condominium, Midland County; East Lansing Food Co-op, Ingham County; Melching Inc., Muskegon County; Peninsula Market LLC, Grand Traverse County; and Schock Holdings LLC, Muskegon County.  The customer-owned projects range in electric capacity from 4 kilowatts to 150 kilowatts.

Residential customer-initiated solar projects in 12 Lower Peninsula counties were also selected during this phase of the program.

The residential customer projects will be located in the following counties: Arenac, Calhoun, Clinton, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kent, Lenawee, Midland, Muskegon and Washtenaw. The projects range in electricity capacity from 2 kilowatts to 20 kilowatts.

“This initiative supports Consumers Energy’s goal of providing a balanced energy resource for our customers,” said David Ronk, Consumers Energy’s director of transactions and resource planning.

Customer installations under earlier phases of the program have added, or are adding, approximately 2,600 kilowatts of solar energy to Michigan’s electric system. These 21 customers will join 170 other Consumers Energy electric customers already participating in the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program.

More information on the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program is available at:  www.consumersenergy.com/EARP

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.