NorthStar Clean Energy Secures $334 Million Financing for 250MW Solar PV Project in Michigan

U.S. energy company NorthStar Clean Energy has secured financing for construction-to-term to support the development of a 250MW solar PV project in Michigan. The financing secured, which amounts to $334 million, will be used to develop the 200MW Branch Solar project in Branch County, Michigan, and the 50MW Genesee Solar project in Genesee County.

Michigan is not among the leading states in solar deployment. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), by the end of 2024, Michigan ranked 26th among all 50 U.S. states, with a cumulative installed solar capacity of just over 1.8GW. Utility-scale solar projects account for the majority of the state's annual capacity additions. NorthStar Clean Energy’s development represents a significant milestone for Michigan’s solar sector, with its 250MW capacity accounting for more than half of the state’s total solar additions in 2024, which was approximately 450MW.

Additionally, Michigan is taking further steps to expand its solar power capacity. In October last year, DTE Energy commissioned a 150MW solar plant in the state and has received approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission to develop 6.5GW of solar capacity by 2042.