The sunlight that greets people through the window every morning is capable of powering local businesses in a cost-effective way, experts on solar energy said.
On Oct. 22, the Lansing Board of Water & Light, or BWL, broke ground on the state’s largest solar cell array that will soon feed some circuits in downtown Lansing.
Located on the 100-block of South Cedar Street in downtown Lansing, the array will generate solar power above ground, and a 10-million-gallon underground reservoir will continue operating nearby for the BWL.
“The number one advantage is that it’s available, and the number two is that it’s durable and low maintenance,” said Mark Nixon, communications director for the BWL, of solar energy.
The array contains 432 panels and is expected to be completed by the end of December.
The risk involved with switching to solar energy concerns the approximate $600,000 cost of the pilot project, which will initially contain a power equivalency of only 50 homes, although the BWL will consider expanding solar usage if the project works out, Nixon said.
“The technology’s improved, and solar power is available during peak periods of demand,” Nixon said.
The BWL hopes to use this project and other plans to decrease its carbon footprint by about 25 percent, according to a BWL press release.
Startup costs and older misconceptions about solar energy are two of the main reasons business owners haven’t yet embraced the energy source on a large scale, said Robert McCann, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
“People think that this solar technology is nice in theory, but doesn’t work,” McCann said.
“Recent advances have shown, however, that this is leaps and bounds ahead of what it used to be.”
McCann said he expects energy source technology to develop significantly in the next 10-20 years, and that soon energy could be coming from several more sources.
“Michigan is poised to be a leader in this if we can get involved,” McCann said. “It can help turn the economy around.”
An important factor in whether businesses turn to solar energy is the amount natural gas prices increase, said John Sarver, energy supervisor for the Michigan Energy Office.
“At some point the (startup) cost will pay for itself, and how soon is what they’re trying to decide,” Sarver said.
“People have made all sorts of guesses, but it’s definitely a good investment for businesses.”
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