CBPU Solar Field

Solar Field Ribbon Cutting

How It Happened

After demolition of the Midwest Foundry in 1990, the site has sat barren for 27 years and has not been used for any new developments. CBPU leadership had the vision to turn the unused land into a useful space. The area was graded and leveled, which led to the design and construction of the Coldwater Solar Field Park. This project presented a unique opportunity for Coldwater to turn a Brownfield site into a Brightfield site. CBPU is very proud of this project and continues their mission to protect the environment and the investments of their citizens. After making it through the many legalities of utilizing the site, it had to be cleaned up, the ground balanced and new fencing erected. Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources LLC installed the farm under a contract with American Municipal Power of which Coldwater and the Michigan South Central Power Agency (MSCPA) are members.


Marc Gerken, former President & CEO of American Municipal Power who spoke at the solar field open house said, “Solar energy is very cost-effective, solar energy is free. You are looking at a state-of-the-art, clean energy project. You took a brownfield site in the middle of town and turned it into something quite beautiful, and you don’t usually see that. You made lemonade out of lemons here."


MSCPA Annual Reports

  1. 2020 MSCPA Renewable Energy Annual Report

​Watch the Coldwater Solar Field in Action!

Watch live updates of the energy output of our Solar Field, as well as view its effectiveness over the years.