Bay Mills Indian Community moves to 100% renewable energy usage with new solar array

What's happening: The Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley plans to build a new $17.3 million solar array, which will be used by the community to offset energy consumption. After a six-year study into the community's energy usage, the power produced from the solar array will account for all of its energy needs, with any additional power being made available for the national energy grid. 

Funding: Money for the solar array comes as part of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. BMIC also credits Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes and Environment (EGLE) and 5 Lakes Energy in obtaining the grant.

Historic values meet modern technology: Environmental protection is a long-standing value of Native American tribal communities in the Upper Peninsula and around the United States. Every tribal community in the U.P. has made significant efforts to join with local governments, non-profit organizations and conservation groups to improve various aspects of the environment, including shore restoration, migratory bird land protections and increased recycling efforts on tribal land. This project, however, can go beyond the physical limitations of tribal land management by aligning tribal, state and national renewable energy goals and push for further energy independence across the region.

What they're saying: “BMIC has dedicated significant effort to understanding our energy infrastructure and identifying renewable energy solutions that align with our long-term sustainability goals,” said Brianna Gunka, planning manager. “This project goes beyond a commercial solar initiative — it’s about creating energy independence for BMIC while honoring the Tribe’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the future for the next seven generations.” 

What's next: Construction will begin in September 2025 with the project completed by 2026. Certain specifics are still up in the air, including where would be the best place to construct the solar array, what kind of connections will connect the array to the grid and any additional infrastructure needs to handle the captured solar energy.  The Tribe also announced that its Bay Mills Community College will expand its workforce development program to tackle the necessary skilled labor components of having this large array.