Alternative energy company in discussions to locate a solar farm in Stockbridge Township

By Bob Castle

If details can be worked out, plots of land on the former Krummrey farm in Stockbridge Township may become home to an alternative, energy-producing solar farm.

Last year, the Krummrey farm was divided and sold to several different farm development investment companies. Now, Arizona-based Cypress Creek Renewables, a provider of solar farm development, has approached Stockbridge Township officials as to the zoning requirements for the establishment of a solar farm.

By definition, a solar farm is a site that hosts a large quantity of ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

By definition, a solar farm is a site that hosts a large quantity of ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Photo above represents a sample solar farm. Photo credit: Cypress Creek Renewables website.

Township supervisor C.G. Lantis said he is following the guidelines for solar farm requirements, and he has suggested to the company that several plots could serve as possible locations for such an endeavor.

As of this date, the size and scope of the project under consideration has not been disclosed, and Cypress Creek has yet to submit an application and site plan to the Stockbridge Township Planning Commission.

The company is scheduled to discuss the topic at the upcoming planning commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. on April 4.

According to its marketing brochure, “Cypress Creek Renewables is the largest and fastest-growing dedicated provider of local solar farms with well over $1 billion raised and invested and 2,500 acres of operating solar farms deployed or in development—that’s enough energy to power 1.5 million homes.”

Cypress Creek’s brochure states that the company’s projects “are located across the country in 14 states and growing.” The company’s website states, “We partner with communities and utilities to provide widespread access to clean energy. Our local solar farms produce energy at or below market costs, making solar power an option for everyone.” Cypress Creek claims to be “the fastest-growing provider of local solar.”

“This is far from being a done deal,” Supervisor Lantis said. “There are lots of details yet to be worked out relating to state laws, an agreement with Consumers Energy and compliance to the township’s zoning requirements.” However, Lantis indicated he felt this development held the potential to be positive addition for the township.

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