Ford Funds 100-MW Solar Farm in Michigan to Power Factory Operations
The $194 million Cold Creek Solar Park is the first of several DTE projects supporting Ford's renewable energy commitment.
Ford Motor Company has funded the construction of a 100-megawatt solar farm near Coldwater, Michigan, to help power its home-state manufacturing facilities with cleaner electricity. The project marks a step toward the automaker’s goal of using carbon-free energy in its Michigan operations.
What Happened
Detroit-based energy company DTE Energy completed the $194 million Cold Creek Solar Park, which Ford financed through its enrollment in DTE’s voluntary renewable energy program, CleanVision MIGreenPower. Construction began in April 2025, and the facility generates enough power to supply the equivalent of roughly 23,000 to 25,000 households in Michigan. Cold Creek is the first of several DTE projects being built to support Ford’s renewable electricity commitment in the state.
Why It Matters
The solar farm supports Ford’s objective to assemble every vehicle made in Michigan with the equivalent of 100% carbon-free electricity by the end of 2027. This deadline has shifted from the 2025 target originally announced in August 2022, a change that DTE’s latest announcement did not explain. The initiative is part of Ford’s broader agreement to purchase up to 650 MW of renewable energy through MIGreenPower, a program that allows businesses to match their electricity use with renewable generation in Michigan while funding new wind and solar projects. While DTE previously estimated that the wider buildout would create 250 temporary jobs and 10 permanent positions, the utility has not provided specific economic data for the Cold Creek site alone.
The Bottom Line
Ford’s investment in the Cold Creek Solar Park advances its strategy to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity across global manufacturing by 2035 and carbon neutrality across its vehicles, manufacturing, and supply chain by 2050.
