Grand Rapids Business Journal
Courtesy city of Grand Rapids
The city of Grand Rapids’ work to supply its Lake Michigan Filtration Plant with on-site renewable solar energy is one step closer to reality thanks to an affirmative vote by the Grand Haven Charter Township Zoning Board of Appeals.
The variance approval allows the city of Grand Rapids to install a nearly 1-megawatt, ground-mounted solar array in the northwest corner of the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant (LMFP) property, 17350 Lake Michigan Drive in West Olive.
The solar installation will save the Grand Rapids Water Department an estimated net $1.2 million over 24 years, increase the city’s renewable energy performance from 37% to 41% and will eliminate 700 to 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents equal to removing 150 to 200 passenger vehicles from the road.