OREANDA-NEWS. Consumers Energy announced today that customers are now able to enroll in the energy provider's community solar program, allowing them to play a part in developing new renewable energy sources in Michigan.

"We already met our target of generating 10 percent of our electricity from renewable sources, and our new Solar Gardens program represents a commitment to continue taking care of the environment," said Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy's vice president for energy supply operations. "We are excited to offer our customers new, alternative renewable energy sources in our state."

Participants in the Solar Gardens program can subscribe to SolarBlocks equaling a half -kilowatt each. They will receive a credit on monthly bills based on electricity that's generated at Solar Gardens locations for the life of the projects – about 25 years.

The program is open to Consumers Energy's residential and business electric customers, and participants will choose between four flexible payment term options. A participant subscribing to a SolarBlock over 25 years will pay $10 additional per month. Some of that cost will be offset by the solar energy credit.

To enroll, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com/solargardens.

Consumers Energy is working to develop two Solar Gardens locations in West Michigan, with the option to build more based on customer demand.

Groundbreaking for the first Solar Gardens facility – a 17-acre location that would be Michigan's largest community solar project -- took place this month at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. Consumers Energy is working to develop another location at Western Michigan University.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.