There is a growing demand for renewable energy sources (wind, solar, battery storage, natural gas, hydro, and biomass) versus the traditional, aging power sources that have reached end-of-life. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) plans the Midwest’s power grid. MISO projects that demand for renewable energy in the wholesale market in 2030 will reach 30% of total energy (based on existing commitments of utilities, corporations and public policy goals). As of December 2019, renewable energy in the MISO region stood at 8%. Of the 69,000 megawatts (MW’s) required to meet this demand, only 19,000 MW are currently operating.

Local utilities that service the Bell Solar Project area are looking to diversify their energy portfolios. These utilities are including renewable energy, such as wind, solar, and battery storage, to meet the growing demand of electricity consumers, as well as accomplish the state-mandated directives for a carbon-free energy grid. This Project would help local utilities meet their growing needs for a reliable energy source, as well as provide a clean, carbon-free source of energy to the local grid.

Solar panels (or photovoltaic PV modules) turn sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. The panels are supported by a tracking racking structure designed to follow the sun across the sky, and paired with inverters that convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC). The AC electricity passes through a transformer at the project substation to ensure it is at the appropriate voltage before being sent to the electric grid at an electric utility interconnection point. The AC power is then transmitted onto the Transmission grid.

Solar facilities have an expected life of 35 years, much of which is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. Solar panels will continue to produce energy past their warranty with slightly less efficiency over time. At the expected project sunset, the solar facility will be fully decommissioned (returning all land back to agricultural use at the landowner’s discretion), or repowered depending on improved panel wattages, new power technologies, power needs, and other market forces.

It is standard practice to have a decommissioning plan and cost estimate before construction starts. In some cases, a letter of credit or bond is put in place to ensure the availability of future decommissioning costs. Furthermore, up to 90% of the materials used in panels, much of which is glass and aluminum, are recyclable. Panels from the Bell Solar Project will be properly recycled to minimize any panel material requiring disposal.

The electrical power produced by the Bell Solar Project will be delivered into the local Michigan Electric Transmission grid, helping to diversify the state's energy portfolio. Power generated by the Project will be used both locally and transmitted to where it is needed based on demand.

Bell Solar will utilize First Solar Panels with a capacity of 540 watts per panel. Generally, panel size are approximately 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall. The solar arrays are configured in blocks of panels. Once mounted on the racking, panels will be between 6 to 12 feet off the ground depending on the time of the day.

We intend to implement a vegetation management plan that includes planting of a native prairie grass seed mix within the array area, as well as dedicating a percentage of the Project area to coverage with a pollinator-friendly seed mix. A vegetation management plan will be finalized prior to construction and will need to be approved by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and other permitting authorities.