VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI — Amazon is building a large solar array in Van Buren county that the company says is to power its operations in the area. The move by Amazon comes on the heels of Michigan passing clean energy standard legislation late last year.
Amazon announced in a press release that the new 85 megawatt solar farm aims to power Amazon’s local operations, including Amazon fulfillment centers, sortation centers and delivery stations, while also providing new sources of clean power to local communities where the projects are located, according to officials.
“At Amazon, we’re constantly seeking innovative ways to bring more solar and wind projects online, both to power our operations, and to bring new sources of clean energy to the communities where our customers live and work,” said Nat Sahlstrom, head of energy, water and sustainability for Amazon Web Services (AWS). “These projects are also helping create jobs, support local businesses, and boost the local tax base, which are all part of Amazon’s broader commitment to become a more sustainable company.”
According to a report by Michigan Public Radio, the number of jobs in solar energy went up in Michigan in 2022. “Michigan did grow 3.3 %. Now having 4,073 jobs, more of it in the utility scale sector,” said Ed Gilliland, Senior Director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
Solar jobs have been on the rise across the country since President Joe Biden signed the largest investment in climate action ever with the Inflation Reduction Act — which has created 210,000 new solar, wind, and other clean energy jobs in the last year alone.
