65 Michigan School Districts to Receive Solar Power as MISEC Genesee Solar Goes Live

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beecher, MI June 29, 2026 — The Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative (MISEC) and NorthStar Clean Energy today announced that the newly operational MISEC Genesee Solar Farm, a 41-megawatt renewable energy facility in Genesee County will help power 65 Michigan K–12 school districts. The agreement provides participating districts with clean energy to advance their sustainability goals while locking in affordable energy rates. In 2026, these districts are expected to collectively save approximately $80,000 compared to utility tariff rates, with projected savings of more than $18 million over the 15-year term of the agreement.

The partnership represents a major milestone in helping Michigan schools transition to cleaner and more cost-effective energy solutions. Participating districts will benefit from long-term budget certainty, reduced exposure to market volatility, and clean energy supply from MISEC Genesee Solar.

“Michigan’s school districts deserve energy solutions that are as clean and cost-effective as possible, and this partnership delivers exactly that,” said Peter Spadafore with the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative, a program of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity. “By securing solar energy from MISEC Genesee Solar, our districts can reinvest more resources into classrooms while supporting their ongoing sustainability efforts.”

MISEC Genesee Solar will have the capacity to provide renewable power to 355 school facilities across Michigan. Key benefits for participating school districts include:

• Long-term budget certainty: A predictable, economical energy supply that frees up financial resources for core educational priorities.
• Environmental impact: Reduced reliance on conventional energy sources and measurable progress toward district sustainability objectives.
• Educational opportunity: New pathways for STEM and sustainability programming that give students hands-on exposure to clean energy careers.
• Local economic growth: Job creation and tax revenue benefits within Genesee County.

“We are proud to partner with MISEC and deliver clean, affordable energy that supports Michigan’s schools and communities,” said Brian Hartmann, President and CEO of NorthStar Clean Energy, which operates MISEC Genesee Solar. “This is a powerful example of how renewable energy can strengthen local economies while helping institutions plan for the future.”

MISEC Genesee Solar underscores both organizations’ commitment to supporting Michigan’s clean energy transition and empowering school districts with cost-effective, environmentally responsible energy solutions.

 About MISEC

Founded in 1997 under the Urban Cooperation Act, the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative (MISEC) is a not-for-profit cooperative managed by school officials and dedicated to serving Michigan’s public education community. For nearly 30 years, MISEC has provided unbiased energy market insight and comprehensive procurement services to K–12 districts statewide, including competitive bidding, contract negotiation, bill auditing, and online reporting. Today, MISEC is the largest program of its kind in the United States, managing in excess of $100 million in energy annually on behalf of Michigan’s public schools.

About NorthStar Clean Energy

NorthStar Clean Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy, founded in 1987 helps companies with ambitious sustainability targets decarbonize through customized energy solutions. NorthStar Clean Energy owns and operates over 2 gigawatts of generating capacity across the United States, including solar installations in Michigan, Ohio, and Arkansas, wind assets in Texas and Ohio, natural gas and co-generation facilities in Michigan, and biomass plants in Michigan and North Carolina and has a development pipeline of more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy. 

Media Contacts:

Peter Spadafore
Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative
517.896.5951
pspadafore@misec.org

Caryn Aldape
NorthStar Clean Energy
734.623.0640
Caryn.aldape@nsce.com