Boyne Mountain takes next step towards reducing emissions with new solar project
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the correct name for the energy company involved. The correct name is CMS Energy, the original story named the company as Consumers Energy.
BOYNE FALLS — As part of its long-term goal of reaching zero net carbon emissions by 2030, Boyne Resorts unveiled its first solar project on Wednesday at Boyne Mountain Resort. The solar array was completed November 2021 and was able to produce power on Feb. 2, 2022.
“(The project) does represent a pilot program for us as a company and for CMS Energy, of how we can collaborate across North America potentially to produce on-site energy through the use of solar,” said Boyne Resorts CEO Stephen Kircher.
“We're excited about the first step and we've had a long history with CMS Energy of collaboration. They've helped us reduce power consumption immensely over the last few years. And it's just a great communication collaboration between our two organizations.”
The project was in collaboration with CMS Energy and is expected to power 410 watts, enough to power more than 300 homes and condos. According to director of communications Erin Ernst, the solar array should produce about 19 percent of the resort’s energy needs.
In an email, Ernst said the project will save over 2.2 million pounds of carbon each year, the equivalent of 220 cars.
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"I could not be more excited about the partnership that we have with Boyne. The leadership of Steve and Ed and the Forever project, what they're doing for Michigan and beyond. It's the kind of thing that gets me out of bed every day. It's making this kind of an impact," CMS Energy President Brian Hartman said during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
"We talk a lot at CMS Energy about people, planet and prosperity and I think this solar array is an amazing example of just what that's about. I'm so proud to be a part of this. So excited to have a partner like our friends at Boyne here and just inspired by the leadership that I see."
CMS Energy solar panels are designed to still produce energy when the sun reflects off of snow, which means the panels should still produce energy during Northern Michigan’s long winter months. They also use batteries to store electricity for times when the sun isn’t shining.
The solar field is not Boyne Resort’s first dive into sustainable energy. The hydropower dam on Dam Road in Boyne Falls has been producing energy for the resort for decades and the company is currently in the process of relicensing the project to continue operation for another 30 to 40 years. According to Boyne Mountain Resort President Ed Grice, the dam produces eight to 10 percent of the resort’s energy.
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“(The solar field) supplies up to 19 percent of our energy load,” Grice said on Wednesday. “This coupled with our hydro dam, supplying eight to 10 percent of our needs, our upgraded lighting, insulating some of our older buildings, continued investment in our snowmaking projects and technology with our low (energy) snow makers and our automated snowmaking systems will allow us to meet those 2030 goals. We have a long way to go, but I'm confident in our team at Boyne and our partners at CMS Energy that we're going to get there.”
Boyne Resorts has 13 properties; 12 in the United States and one in Canada. The company hopes to complete similar sustainable energy projects at its other locations while also expanding attractions at its properties.
Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @Tess_Petoskey
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Boyne Mountain unveils first solar array with Consumers Energy
