Road Commission to require solar farms to pay for road damages

BRANCH COUNTY — Solar farm developers will need to sign agreements to pay for all road damage and repairs when they obtain permits for entrances to their property, the Branch County Road Commission board decided Thursday.

According to commission manager Jay Miller, small projects of less than 100 acres are not problems.

DTE, the developer of the massive project in Union Township, already paid the commission for some damage on Burlington Road.

Miller said, "They're good neighbors. They've been more than cooperative."

The company expects to complete the 1,500-acre, 150-megawatt solar farm in the northeast corner of Union Township this year. Work started in February 2023.

The road commission approved rebuilding Burlington and Hayter roads in its 2024 maintenance budget.

The commission estimates the cost for repairs of the 3.83 miles adjacent to the solar farm at $517,000, with DTE covering the cost.

"We want to use this as a template for other contractors," Miller said.

Branch Solar LLC received a construction permit last February for its 200-megawatt solar farm on 1,546 acres along Lockwood Road.

The Bethel project is on 31 parcels on both sides of Lockwood Road, bound by Snow Prairie Road on the west and the township line on the east. That line is half a mile west of Behnke Road.

Apex Solar leased 571 acres in Coldwater Township and 1,109 acres in Ovid Township to construct a 1,500-megawatt project.

DTE obtained leases in Quincy, Coldwater, and Butler townships. The company expects to present another project later this year.

Miller said, "I don't think the other townships know what's coming. The sheer volume of construction vehicle activity on the roads is extensive."

Related story DTE Union Township solar farm under construction draws protest

Crews work seven days a week to meet their schedule and their deadlines to complete the work.

"Ultimately, what we're looking for is that contractors return the roads to pristine condition, where they were before they started the work," Miller said. 

Miller said the project in person looks different than the plans on paper. "Until you see it in person, it's extensive. It's huge," Miller said.

Miller pointed out that the solar panels, equipment, and materials require hundreds of semis and heavy construction equipment.

The Union Township transformer to collect the power and put it onto the grid weighed 500,000 pounds.

DTE planned to bring the house-sized unit by train to Coldwater and transport it by road. That plan was abandoned because local roads could not handle the weight.

In November, the unit was transported by truck on the interstates, then down County Line Road to Burlington and Hayter Road.

The transformer was so large it got stuck under an overpass on I-69 at Tekonsha. Air was taken from the tires on the low-boy trailer to allow it to pass under.

Subscribe Support local news. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter.

Miller wants to take other township supervisors to the Union Township project. He admitted, "I didn't realize the sheer magnitude that would go into putting in these solar fields."

-- Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County Road Commission requires solar project pay road damages