RWE in Michigan

Powering Michigan’s Energy Future

RWE is developing solar and battery storage projects across Michigan to add homegrown energy, support local communities, and strengthen the electric grid.

From Otsego County to Wayne County, RWE’s Michigan projects are designed to help meet rising electricity demand, support long-term energy affordability, and create local economic value. These projects will bring new energy resources to the grid, support participating landowners, generate expected tax revenue, and create construction and operations jobs in Michigan communities. 

RWE Image

RWE’s Michigan Footprint

RWE’s Michigan portfolio currently reaches six counties across the state, with solar and battery storage projects in Otsego, Lenawee, Clinton, Ottawa, Wayne, and Ionia counties. The portfolio includes one project under construction and five projects in development, with expected operation dates ranging from the end of 2027 through 2030.

Together, these projects represent over 1 GW of planned energy capacity. That is enough to power 191,000 homes and help Michigan meet rising electricity demand from households, farms, manufacturers, small businesses, and new industrial growth.

RWE’s work in Michigan is focused on energy addition. These projects add resources to the grid, create local economic activity, and support communities through expected tax revenue and landowner partnerships.

Facts & Figures

Over 00 GW

of planned Michigan solar and battery storage capacity in RWE’s pipeline

00 Homes

Michigan’s project pipeline will provide the equivalent of powering 191,000 homes annually

$ 00 Million

in expected estimated tax revenue

Michigan Project Details

Explore RWE’s Michigan projects by location, technology, status, timeline, and expected local benefits.

RWE Image

45th Parallel Solar

Location: Hayes Township, Otsego County, Michigan 
Technology: Solar 
Project size: 200 MW 
Status: Construction 
Expected COD: End of 2027 
Expected tax revenue: $15 million

45th Parallel is a 200 MW solar project under construction in Hayes Township in Otsego County. This project is in the construction phase in RWE’s current Michigan portfolio and is expected to reach commercial operation by the end of 2027.

The project is expected to bring construction activity and economic benefits through annual tax revenue. Once operating, 45th Parallel will add solar generation to Michigan’s electric system and support the state’s need for more homegrown energy resources.

RWE Image

Rouget Road Solar

Location: Blissfield and Palmyra Townships, Lenawee County, Michigan 
Technology: Solar 
Project size: 175 MW 
Status: Late stage development 
Expected COD: 2028 
Expected tax revenue: $43.2 million

Rouget Road is a 175 MW solar project in development in Lenawee County. The project is located in Blissfield and Palmyra Townships and is expected to reach commercial operation in 2028.

The project will bring construction jobs to Lenawee County and is expected to bring additional economic benefits through annual tax revenue. For local communities, that revenue can support schools, first responders, infrastructure, and public services. For participating landowners, project agreements can provide a stable source of income tied to long-term energy investment. 

RWE Image

Walker Road Solar

Location: Bingham Township, Clinton County, Michigan 
Technology: Solar 
Project size: 175 MW 
Status: Late stage development 
Expected COD: 2028 
Expected tax revenue: $30 million

Walker Road is a 175 MW solar project in development in Bingham Township in Clinton County. The project is in late stage development and has an expected commercial operation date in 2028. 

Walker Road will generate economic benefits through annual tax revenue. The project also reflects Michigan’s larger need for additional energy resources as electricity demand grows. By adding new generation within the state, projects like Walker Road can help Michigan produce more of the power locally. 

RWE Image

Silver Maple Solar 

Location: Zeeland and Jamestown Townships, Ottawa County, Michigan
Technology: Solar
Project size: 200 MW
Status: Late stage development
Expected COD: 2028
Expected tax revenue: $31.6 million

Silver Maple is a 200 MW solar project in development in Ottawa County. The project is located in Zeeland and Jamestown Townships and has an expected commercial operation date in 2028. 

Silver Maple is expected to bring further economic benefits through new tax revenue. In local communities, tax revenue from energy projects can support schools, emergency services, infrastructure, and public services. The project is also part of a broader Western Michigan conversation about reliability, growth, and how communities prepare for future energy demand. 

RWE Image

Stag Horn Battery Energy Storage System

Location: Van Buren Township, Wayne County, Michigan
Technology: Battery energy storage system 
Project size: 200 MW 
Status: Mid stage development 
Expected COD: 2029 
Expected tax revenue: $37 million

Stag Horn is a 200 MW battery energy storage project in development in Van Buren Township in Wayne County. The project is in mid stage development and has an expected commercial operation date in 2029.

Battery storage plays a different role than solar generation. Instead of generating electricity, it stores energy and can send it back to the grid when needed. That makes storage a useful tool for grid stability, especially during periods of high demand. Stag Horn is expected to bring construction jobs and economic benefits through annual tax revenue while adding an energy resource that supports reliability in one of Michigan’s most populated regions. 

RWE Image

Ionia Solar

Location: Ionia Township, Ionia County, Michigan 
Technology: Solar 
Project size: 200 MW 
Status: Early stage 
Expected COD: 2030 

Ionia is a 200 MW solar project in early stage development in Ionia Township in Ionia County. The project has an expected commercial operation date in 2030.

Ionia is part of RWE’s broader Michigan portfolio which will add energy capacity to the state and support long-term local economic opportunity.

Energy Facts for Michigan Communities

RWE’s Michigan portfolio is part of an all-of-the-above approach to American energy. Michigan needs reliable power from multiple sources to support economic growth, daily life, and long-term competitiveness. Solar and battery storage are part of that larger energy mix, and RWE is working to provide that.

Solar and battery storage serve different roles. Solar projects generate electricity and deliver it to the grid. Battery storage projects store energy and send it back when needed. Together, these resources can help Michigan add more homegrown power and improve grid stability.

For communities, energy projects can also create direct economic value. RWE’s Michigan projects include the benefits of expected tax revenue that can support schools, first responders, infrastructure, and public services. Participating landowners can receive stable income through voluntary land agreements, which can help keep farmland in the family for future generations. 

Project Benefits

RWE Image

 

Jobs and Michigan Energy Growth

RWE’s Michigan projects are expected to bring well-paying construction jobs and long-term operations work. Construction activity can support Michigan workers and nearby businesses during the build phase. Once projects are operating, they continue to require oversight, maintenance, and coordination. These projects also add energy capacity inside Michigan, helping the state meet rising demand with more domestic power. Reliable electricity supports homes, farms, manufacturing, schools, hospitals, and local employers.

RWE Image

 

Landowner Partnerships and Rural Investment

RWE’s Michigan work includes partnerships with landowners who choose to participate in project development. Solar projects can provide a stable source of income for participating landowners and help keep farmland in the family for generations. That matters in rural communities where land is both a business asset and a family legacy. Our energy projects also support rural economic development through construction activity, local spending, and operations work after construction is complete.

RWE Image

 

Tax Revenue for Local Priorities

RWE’s Michigan projects will provide tax revenue in the communities where they are located. Current estimates include $15 million for 45th Parallel, $43.2 million for Rouget Road, $30 million for Walker Road, $31.6 million in new tax revenue for Silver Maple, and $37 million for Stag Horn. These dollars can support schools, first responders, infrastructure, and public services. For rural and suburban communities, tax revenue from RWE projects can help fund local priorities tied to everyday life.

A Stronger Grid for a Growing Michigan

Adding Energy Where Michigan Needs It

A stronger grid matters in ordinary ways. It means homes have power when families need heat, cooling, lighting, appliances, and internet service. It means manufacturers and local businesses can plan around a more reliable electricity supply. It also means Michigan can produce more of its own power instead of depending on electricity brought in from other regions.

RWE’s Michigan portfolio adds both solar generation and battery storage. Solar projects add new electricity to the grid during the day. Battery storage adds flexibility by storing energy and sending it back when needed. Stag Horn, RWE’s 200 MW battery energy storage project in Wayne County, is part of that grid reliability story.

Solar and battery storage can also help support more stable energy costs over time. Solar is a low-cost source of electricity generation, and battery storage can store electricity when it is less needed and lower cost, then send it back to the grid when demand rises. That added flexibility helps Michigan manage periods of higher electricity use while adding more energy produced close to home.

As Michigan’s electricity demand grows, new energy resources will be needed. New technologys, American manufacturing, industrial growth, and electrification all require more power. RWE’s projects help meet that demand and invest in local communities.

Energy Investment Built Around Local Communities

RWE’s Michigan projects are planned across six counties: Otsego, Lenawee, Clinton, Ottawa, Wayne, and Ionia. While each county may have different priorities, they also share many of the same needs. Residents want strong schools, reliable public services, safe roads, responsive emergency services, and good local jobs.

Energy projects can support those priorities in practical ways. Expected tax revenue can help fund community services over time.

RWE Image

Participating landowners can receive a stable source of income that supports family farms and long-term planning. Construction activity can bring new work into local economies. Operations jobs will continue after projects are built.

Michigan’s energy needs are growing, and communities are asking how to meet that demand while keeping more value close to home. RWE’s solar and battery storage projects offer one part of the answer. These projects add electricity to the Michigan grid and support local economies through tax revenues and local jobs.

Community Engagement

RWE is committed to working closely with local governments, residents, landowners, and community organizations in the Michigan communities where projects are planned. That means sharing project information, listening to local questions, attending community events, and participating in local membership organizations where possible.

RWE also looks for ways to give back to causes that matter locally through donations, sponsorships, volunteer efforts, and community partnerships. The goal is to be a trusted long-term partner, not just a project developer, by supporting local priorities before, during, and after construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are RWE’s Michigan projects located? 

RWE’s Michigan portfolio includes projects in six counties. 45th Parallel is located in Hayes Township in Otsego County. Rouget Road is located in Blissfield and Palmyra Townships in Lenawee County. Walker Road is located in Bingham Township in Clinton County. Silver Maple is located in Zeeland and Jamestown Townships in Ottawa County. Stag Horn is located in Van Buren Township in Wayne County. Ionia is located in Ionia Township in Ionia County. 

When will these projects begin operating? 

45th Parallel is under construction and is expected to reach commercial operation by the end of 2027. Rouget Road, Walker Road, and Silver Maple are listed in late-stage development with expected operation in 2028. Stag Horn is in mid-stage development with expected operation in 2029. Ionia is in early-stage development with expected operation in 2030.  

How do RWE’s Michigan projects benefit local communities? 

The projects are expected to support local communities through construction jobs, operations work, landowner partnerships, and tax revenue. The expected tax revenue for 45th Parallel, Rouget Road, Walker Road, Silver Maple, and Stag Horn, are easily findable under the project details drop-down for each project on this page. The expected tax revenue can support schools, first responders, infrastructure, and public services. Participating landowners can also receive stable income, which can help keep farmland in the family for future generations. 

What role does battery storage play in Michigan’s energy grid? 

Battery storage helps the grid by storing energy and sending it back when needed. Unlike a solar project, it does not generate electricity. Its role is to support grid stability by making stored energy available during periods of need.

How can solar and battery storage help with energy costs?

Solar is a low-cost source of electricity generation, and battery storage helps make that power more flexible. Storage can capture electricity when it is lower cost and less needed, then send it back to the grid when demand is higher. Together, solar and storage can help Michigan add more energy resources while supporting long-term affordability and reliability.

Are these projects replacing other energy sources? 

No. RWE’s Michigan solar and battery storage projects are about energy addition. Michigan needs more power to support homes, businesses, manufacturing, data centers, and electrification. These projects add energy resources to the grid as part of a broader, all-of-the-above American energy strategy.

Are solar panels safe for people, animals, soil, and water?

Yes. Solar panels are made of safe materials and do not pose health or safety risks to soil, water, people, or animals. Solar projects also do not use local water or impact local water systems. 

Do solar projects affect nearby property values?

Studies have shown that solar projects have no measurable impact on property values. Local revenue from solar and battery storage projects can also support schools, local services, and infrastructure. 

How does RWE approach safety for battery storage projects? 

Safety is RWE’s highest priority. Battery energy storage safety measures are developed in collaboration with local fire departments and government agencies. RWE also monitors projects through its remote operations center and can alert local teams or authorities if an issue is detected. 

What happens to solar panels at the end of their useful life?

Solar panels can be recycled when they reach the end of their useful life. 


Explore RWE’s Michigan Projects

RWE’s Michigan projects are at different stages of construction and development, but they share a clear purpose: adding homegrown energy while supporting local communities. Explore project details, locations, timelines, and expected local benefits.

About RWE

RWE Americas, a subsidiary of RWE, is a US-based energy company that is helping to meet the growing demand for energy across the United States. Backed by RWE’s 125-year global legacy of managing diverse power assets, RWE Americas operates approximately 13 GW of power projects across 27 states. With a talented workforce of 2,000 employees, RWE Americas develops, constructs and operates wind, solar and battery storage projects, along with natural gas-powered generation, that safely deliver affordable, reliable electricity to our customers. Committed to responsible development, RWE Americas invests in local and rural communities, creating jobs and partnering with stakeholders to support and strengthen the places where we live and work.