SolarRisk Tracker / Explore / MI / Alpena

Alpena County, MI — Solar Development Risk Assessment

Local solar ordinance barriers, board sentiment, and utility policies that affect development timelines and risk.

41.2
Risk Grade
Good
NE lower MI; limited solar history; PA 233 provides developer pathway; fishing/manufacturing identity
Assessment Snapshot
Population
28,405
State Rank
#15
Compliance
50%
Trajectory
48

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
None codified. No county-specific setbacks confirmed.
Zoning Mechanism
Alpena County/Township: CUP in applicable zoning district (sub-50 MW). ≥50 MW subject to MPSC siting unless CREO adopted.
Acreage Caps
None codified.
Density Caps
None codified.
Spacing Rules
None codified.
Size Restrictions
None codified.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Conservative — limited solar engagement; PA 233 reduces barriers
Basis for Assessment
NE lower MI; limited solar history; PA 233 provides developer pathway; fishing/manufacturing identity
Political Risk Factors
Stable
Board Members
County Board of Commissioners | 5-15 members | 2-yr terms | partisan elections | Wayne (Detroit), Oakland, Washtenaw (Ann Arbor), Genesee (Flint), Ingham (Lansing), Kalamazoo, Kent (Grand Rapids): D majority or D-lean. Rural/northern MI counties: R majority. MI PA 233/235 (2023) reduced county veto power over ≥50 MW solar.

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
MISO / Consumers Energy (CE) zone
Utilities
Consumers Energy, Consumers Energy
State Permitting Process
PA 233 of 2023 (HB 5120) — effective Nov 29, 2024: MPSC has siting authority for solar ≥50 MW, wind ≥100 MW, storage ≥50 MW / 200 MWh, unless affected local unit has adopted a Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO) meeting state setback/height minimums. If CREO in place, developer must use local process; if no CREO or CREO is more restrictive than PA 233, developer may go directly to MPSC. MPSC may overrule local denial; if it does, local unit loses CREO status for future projects. 21 minimal conditions apply to all MPSC-approved projects (fencing, acoustics, decommissioning bond, etc.). As of Mar 2026, multiple townships and counties have sued MPSC challenging PA 233 implementation. Projects <50 MW solar / <100 MW wind: local CUP/SUP process governs under township/county zoning. MISO interconnection required. Most of MI in MISO; SE corner (Lenawee, Monroe, parts of Wayne) in PJM via AEP.
State Incentives
Michigan Renewable Energy Standard (PA 295/PA 342): 15% by 2021 (met); Michigan EGLE: state agency oversees environmental permitting for solar under MI PA 233 (2023) and PA 235 (2023). MI PA 233/235 (enacted Nov 2023): new state preemption for solar ≥50 MW — county renewable energy overlay or state MPSC review. Net metering: PA 235 of 2023 raised DG cap to 10% of utility peak load; DTE Energy, Consumers Energy offer net metering programs. MI EGLE grants: Community Resilience Grant for local solar/storage. Utility: DTE Energy serves SE MI/Detroit metro; Consumers Energy serves mid-Michigan; Upper Peninsula Power (UPPCO) serves some UP areas; various electric cooperatives rural.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
Alpena Power Company serves Alpena County (northeast LP). Community solar active in Alpena area (Michigan Public Jan 2025). MPSC granted Alpena Power waivers for interconnection studies (MPSC Sept 30 2025). Small-scale utility solar present.
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
No confirmed denials on record as of Mar 2026.

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Last verified: 2026-03-24 | SolarRisk Tracker | Data sources: Government records, utility filings, public meeting minutes