Cass County, MI — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

None codified. No county-specific setbacks confirmed.

Cass County/Township: CUP in applicable zoning district (sub-50 MW). ≥50 MW subject to MPSC siting unless CREO adopted.

Generally receptive — agricultural community; PA 233 certainty

SW Michigan; PJM/AEP territory; PA 233 reduces local barriers; active agricultural solar

Stable

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.

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.

Steelhead Solar (Ranger Power) | Marcellus Township | Unanimous CUP approval from Marcellus Township Planning Commission AND Township Board of Trustees. RRCA: Marcellus Township received $1 million from state (~53% of township's $1.88M annual revenue). Township chose local ordinance track — local control maintained. Source: Ranger Power press release; Detroit News Jan 9 2025; EGLE Jan 30 2025

No confirmed denials on record as of Mar 2026.