Michigan School Districts Set for $25 Million in Savings as NorthStar's 120-Megawatt Solar Facility Comes Online in Oceana County

NorthStar Clean Energy has brought its Hart Solar Project to completion in Oceana County, Michigan, with the 120-megawatt utility-scale facility poised to deliver electricity savings to dozens of public school districts while contributing new renewable generation capacity to the state's power grid.

Financial Relief for Public Schools at the Center of the Deal

Oakland Schools and 45 other public school districts across Michigan stand to save approximately USD 25 million over a ten-year period through a purchasing arrangement tied to the Hart Solar Project.

That agreement was structured through a partnership with Executive Energy Services, whose representative Robert Bernardi said Oakland County and small businesses statewide would see reductions in electric supply charges as a result of the facility's output. Bernardi said the financial benefit extends beyond the balance sheet, arguing that money saved on electricity costs gives school districts the ability to direct resources toward students, staff, and core educational priorities while also advancing clean energy objectives. The long-term purchase contract structure is designed to give participating customers both cost predictability and access to renewable generation over time.

Project Scale and Annual Generation

The Hart Solar Project is expected to produce more than 200 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year. NorthStar said that volume of output is sufficient to power more than 21,000 homes and is projected to prevent an estimated 96,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The facility delivers clean power to Michigan energy customers through long-term purchase agreements with two primary partners: Executive Energy Services and the Michigan Public Power Agency, referred to as MPPA. NorthStar Clean Energy, founded in 1987, describes its business as providing customized energy solutions aimed at helping customers meet business and sustainability objectives through a diverse portfolio of energy assets.

Public Power Communities Gain Access to Utility-Scale Economics

Patrick Bowland, CEO and General Manager at MPPA, said the Hart Solar Project aligns with the agency's long-term strategy of helping its members secure reliable, cost-effective, and carbon-free power supply resources. He described the arrangement as enabling public power communities of varying sizes to share in the economies of scale that make utility-scale renewable projects financially practical over the long term.

Without such collaborative purchasing structures, smaller communities would typically be unable to participate directly in projects of this magnitude. Brian Hartmann, President and CEO of NorthStar Clean Energy, said the project demonstrates how partnerships between energy developers, public agencies, and customer organizations can serve both energy goals and broader community interests.

He credited the collaboration with Executive Energy Services and MPPA as central to meeting customer energy needs while adding renewable generation to Michigan's infrastructure. "Hart Solar is an important investment in Michigan's energy future and demonstrates how strong partnerships can help deliver clean energy solutions to communities across our state," Hartmann said.

Construction Employment and Tax Contributions to the Local Economy

The development and construction of the Hart Solar Project created more than 300 construction jobs and generated broader economic contributions to Michigan's economy. NorthStar indicated the facility will serve as a long-term source of tax revenue for local services and infrastructure, though specific figures for ongoing tax contributions were not disclosed.

Hart Township received approximately USD 600,000 through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy's Renewables Ready Communities Award Program. That funding is designated for community improvements intended to benefit local residents over the long term. In a separate community investment, the CMS Energy Foundation granted USD 100,000 to Lakeshore Food Club, a local food bank, to support community well-being and access to essential resources.

Ribbon-Cutting Scheduled for October

NorthStar Clean Energy has scheduled a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for October 8 to mark the project's completion. The event is expected to bring together project partners, customers, local officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders. NorthStar described the ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate the project and recognize the collaboration among the parties involved in making Hart Solar possible.