The Renegade Solar Energy Center is seen in October 2025. The facility, built by Invenergy and owned by UMERC, is now operational. (Courtesy photo)

ST. NICHOLAS — A multi-year project to prepare land and install solar panels in rural part of the central Upper Peninsula is complete and now online, supplying a large amount of power to the electric grid.

The Renegade Solar Energy Center became active and “officially reached commercial operations last week,” a representative for Invenergy told the Daily Press on Wednesday.

Invenergy LLC, headquartered in Chicago, developed the project. The new facility belongs to Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation (UMERC), a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group that serves around 42,000 energy customers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Solar power is an emissions-free mode of generating electricity, one of the ways companies are producing “clean” energy. UMERC previously took steps toward harnessing cleaner energy sources by providing natural gas-fueled generating stations in Negaunee and Baraga in 2019.

“Having a mix of domestic power sources, including solar, helps keep costs stable and the lights on,” Invenergy said.

Plots in Maple Ridge, Baldwin and Ewing Townships were identified by Invenergy as suitable for a solar farm when the area was scouted a handful of years ago. After finding landowners in favor of the project and ensuring legislation to allow solar farming in the area, the Renegade project began, using spaces both leased and purchased from local farmers.

During development, Barton Malow was the primary solar construction contractor, MJ Electric worked on the substation, and Roy Ness Contracting & Sales worked on the operations and maintenance building.

“A majority of the construction crew were Michiganders, including a significant UP workforce,” Invenergy told the Press. “Construction leadership included hometown talent from Eben Junction and Spalding areas.”

In peak construction, Renegade aprovided 125 jobs. Now that the facility is operable, “the site will employ three full-time staff members and continue to serve as a long-term community partner,” a press release from Invenergy stated.

Two of the three now employed at the station were local hires, while one moved to the area for the job.

“Thanks to UMERC and our construction partners, we’re proud to have brought the Renegade Solar Energy Center online and ready to meet the ever-growing energy needs of Michigan communities,” said Sam Heagney, Invenergy developer. “Invenergy is excited to support American energy independence and we look forward to continued partnership in the Upper Peninsula.”

Ewing Township Supervisor Dave Hall said, “Invenergy has been an exemplary partner, and I appreciate their team’s responsiveness and willingness to work with our community to bring Renegade Solar to life. The project is already helping bring in revenue for local improvements that will better our quality of life, which is especially important for a small town that doesn’t always have new sources of funding. I have been honored to support this team effort and look forward to being a part of Michigan’s energy future.”

The three townships involved, as well as Delta County, received grants through the Michigan EGLE Renewable Ready Communities program totaling nearly $500,000 for a variety of community enhancements.

In 2025, In 2025, Invenergy contributed more than $10,000 to local organizations including the Tri-Township Fire Department (which serves Ewing, Maple Ridge, and Turin Township), Rock Lions Club, Mid-Peninsula Wolverine Circuit Breakers (FIRST Robotics Team 7782) and Gladstone Area Public Schools, Invenergy shared.

Renegade Solar Energy Center is a 100-megawatt facility that generates enough electricity to power more than 27,000 homes using American-made solar panels manufactured at Invenergy’s Illuminate facility in Ohio.

“Michigan, along with most of the Midwest, is facing growing electricity demand from new industries and electrification of transportation and daily life,” said an Invenergy spokesperson. “Renegade Solar will contribute affordable, domestic power that helps meet that demand with no fuel costs, little to no water use, and no emissions.”

Invenergy is also developing Superior Solar Energy Center in Marquette County.