Watertown Solar Project

Watertown Solar Project is a proposed renewable energy project on approximately 550 acres in Sanilac County, Michigan. The Project, located on private land southeast of Sandusky, MI, in Watertown Township, is proposed for development by Samsung C&T America. When operational, the 182 mega-watt project will generate enough clean energy to power up to 20,000 homes each year.

About The Project

  • Will generate enough clean energy to power 20,000 homes
  • ­Expected to be operational in 2026
  • Proposed on 550 acres of privately-owned land
  • Panel height, large setbacks, and screening will limit project visibility to neighbors and nearby roads
  • Landowner retains ownership of land during and after lease; landowner may choose to resume farming after lease expires
  • Project helps meet the growing demand for clean, renewable energy sources in Michigan and the state’s commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2040

Balancing Environmental Responsibility
& Economic Opportunities

Samsung’s philosophy is to develop and operate reliable, high-quality projects while respecting the environment and balancing the best interests of the community, landowners and partners.
The Watertown Project offers a new source of economic development for the community, with tax revenues for schools, government services, and public infrastructure. The Project will generate economic opportunities by creating both short-term (construction) and long-term (maintenance and operational) jobs in the local area, as well as other job opportunities supported through spending and purchases by these workers at local businesses, shops, restaurants, and hotels.
In addition, solar power is one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity today, and its ability to generate power during high-demand times reduces the cost of electricity for all consumers.

Local Economic Benefits

Solar cells collect solar radiation from sunlight. These cells are small but efficient when combined in solar arrays. Energy is generated when the sun excites and frees electrons in the cells and can be induced to travel through an electrical circuit, powering electrical devices or sending electricity to the grid.

Solar Equipment

Photovoltaics (PV)

Photovoltaics is the technology used to convert sunlight to electricity. Solar PV panels will be used and designed to achieve optimal energy production on the Watertown Project. A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module. Multiple modules can be wired together to form an array. Photovoltaic modules and arrays produce direct-current (DC) electricity.

Transformers

A transformer converts, or steps up, the electricity to the same voltage carried by the grid transmission lines.

Electrical Collector System

The electricity generated will be collected on-site using underground cables to the project substation. The Project substation will aggregate and feed the electricity to the local electric grid.

Inverters

Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity from the solar panel into alternating current (AC) electricity, so it can be added to the utility grid system.
Image is for reference purposes only and the final components will be determined when the Project moves into to the equipment procurement stage.