GM announces largest clean-energy project to date with two Michigan solar generation facilities

By: Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer

Every vehicle built in Michigan¹ depends on a complex system of people, materials, technology-and electricity.

As we plan for GM's long-term business needs, our investments in renewable energy help support the electricity demands of our operations and bring greater predictability to a significant operating expense. That's more important than ever as AI, electrification, and manufacturing change how businesses think about power.

Today, we're announcing our largest clean-energy project to date: a utility-scale solar generation facility in Branch County, Michigan, and the accompanying Lake Iris solar project in St. Clair County, both developed by NorthStar Clean Energy with GM as the primary customer through a virtual power purchase agreement. Together, the projects represent about $550 million in investments in Michigan.

Branch Solar and Lake Iris Solar have a combined capacity of 300 megawatts, 92% of which is allocated to GM. We expect the projects to generate about 539,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to serve the equivalent of about 52,000 homes. The projects' expected output is equivalent to the combined annual electricity use of Factory ZERO, Flint Assembly, and Lansing Delta Township Assembly.

A practical investment in GM's operations

As energy demand grows and the grid evolves, locally connected sources of renewable generation can support both business resilience and community resilience. For GM, these projects are part of the energy foundation behind the vehicles, batteries, and technologies we build in Michigan.

We're building on the milestone we shared earlier this year: In 2025, we secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of our electricity use across all our U.S. facilities-making GM the first U.S. automaker to reach this goal.

GM plans to apply the renewable energy credits generated by these projects toward the emissions associated with electricity purchased for our manufacturing operations. We've reduced operational emissions (known in greenhouse gas accounting as scopes 1 and 2) by 52% since 2018, meaning our energy transition is also advancing GM's vision of a zero-emissions future.

Securing long-term, low-cost renewable energy helps improve price predictability and reduce exposure to fuel-market volatility, supporting the long-term planning behind our manufacturing and product investments.

Investing in Michigan communities

The value of Branch and Lake Iris extends beyond the electricity they will produce. Branch Solar represents approximately $380 million in investment, while Lake Iris represents approximately $170 million. The two projects together created more than 550 full-time local construction jobs during their development.

Branch helped Bethel Township receive a $1 million Renewables Ready Communities Award, supporting local priorities including township hall expansion and road improvements.

Lake Iris is incorporating a pollinator habitat across the solar facility grounds. Native plantings can help reduce long-term maintenance needs while supporting solar-panel efficiency and local biodiversity. GM is supporting the habitat effort, which creates an opportunity to partner with researchers to study pollinator habitat and regional value creation.

Building a stronger business through renewable energy

For GM, this is a practical investment in the energy foundation behind our operations. When we invest in the right solutions, building a more sustainable business and driving economic growth reinforce each other: We manage energy costs, strengthen the operations behind our vehicles, and create opportunities in the communities where we work. The projects add renewable generation to Michigan's grid while supporting GM's renewable-energy goals.

The bottom line: Sustainable business is smart business. These solar projects will help GM build a more resilient company while supporting Michigan jobs, local priorities, and the energy infrastructure we all depend on.

¹ Assembled with US and globally sourced parts.