The Coldwater Solar team wishes area teachers, students, and other school staff a safe and productive start to the school year. Please consider us a resource for educational support through our community grant program or as a future field trip destination. We're eager to show off the soon-to-be-operating project to the broader Coldwater community. On the construction front, we continue to sprint towards operations, with mechanical work largely complete on site and final electrical work scheduled to be complete in October. Here's a quick rundown on recent progress and upcoming activities: Laydown yard removal and restoration Construction Progress Update Laydown Yard & Construction Trailer Removal: This week, many of the construction trailers at the laydown yard will be removed as we prepare to conclude construction on the project. Much of the gravel yard will be removed and restored to farmland with topsoil that was stockpiled in on-site berms at the start of construction. One trailer and some of the temporary parking area will remain until our permanent operations building is constructed near the project substation. Mowing/Vegetation Management: Over the past several weeks, the setback areas outside of the fence have been mowed to ensure weeds are properly managed. Specific areas along the fence also received an herbicide application for weed control. Mowing and targeted spraying of weeds will continue next year to ensure that our array and buffer mixes are properly established, which include several flowering plants and beneficial pollinators. Inverter Commissioning: Our electrical crews continue commissioning inverters throughout the project, which convert the DC power generated by the panels to AC power, which is transmitted to homes and businesses on the the regional electric grid.   Drivetrain for tracking system (center) Upcoming ActivitiesHere’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Tree Screening/Landscaping: Over the next few weeks, our tree-planting crews will begin installing the designated landscape buffer areas between the project and nearby residences. If you have screening being installed immediately adjacent to your property, you may be contacted by these crews to keep you informed throughout the process. Areas where trees are being planted are generally staked out, but there may be final adjustments based on site conditions as the work is performed. Tracking System Commissioning: Crews will be commissioning the array tracking system over the coming weeks, which allow the solar panels to track the sun throughout the day. As the system comes online, you will begin to see the arrays consistently track the sun throughout the day across the project. This maximizes power generation from the panels and also allows us to stow the panels in safe positions during extreme weather events (for example, stowing vertically to minimize potential hail damage or stowing horizontally during extreme wind events) Ongoing Testing & Commissioning: As arrays are completed, access will be restricted to crews with proper electrical training for testing and commissioning.

Construction on Coldwater Solar is drawing to a close as the final solar panel was installed late last month. Over 650 workers have put in more than 420,000 hours to bring the project to this point. We are thankful for their work and for your patience and cooperation during the construction process. As our focus shifts from construction to commissioning and restoration, we want to share some updates on what to expect in the weeks and months ahead and other recent news about the project. Construction Progress Update Final Panel Installation: All 286,720 solar panels have been installed across the site. The panels are a mix of 700W, 705W, and 710W bifacial panels. This means they can generate power off of both the front and back sides of the panel. This allows them to generate more energy by, for example, collecting reflected light off of the snow in the wind. Inverter Commissioning: Crews have begun commissioning the inverters, which convert the direct current (DC) power generated by the panels to the alternating current (AC) power that we use in our homes. About half of the inverters have been commissioned so far, with the remainder to be activated in the coming weeks. Project Substation: The new substation and switchyard connecting the project to the regional electrical grid is largely complete. Once final electrical work is completed within the array the project will be ready to begin operations. Check out a video from Barton Malow about the project's construction Upcoming Activities  Here’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Tracking System Testing: The tracking system that orients the panels towards the sun will be commissioned and tested in the coming weeks, ensuring that the project is always generating as much homegrown clean energy as possible! Temporary Parking Lot Removal/Access Road Caps: The temporary parking lots at various arrays are being removed, with the gravel from the lots being used to cap the internal access roads. The lot areas will be decompacted and restored for the landowners and returned to farming or other uses. Laydown Yard Demobilization: As construction winds down, the laydown yard will begin to be demobilized. Some trailers may remain in place into the spring however, to host members of the operations team until the project operations and maintenance building is constructed. Introducing Facility Manager Nathan Martyn We are excited to welcome Nathan Martyn to the Coldwater Solar team as our Facility Manager. In this role, Nathan will manage day-to-day operations of the facility, including inspection and maintenance of solar equipment and the site as a whole. Nathan has 14 years of experience in renewable energy, including working as and managing wind and solar technicians in Michigan and throughout the country. A Michigan native, Nathan is excited to be in a long-term position in his home state. When he's not working on-site, Nathan is an avid outdoorsman who loves to hunt and fish. Continue reading

Conservation Grants to Support Great Lakes Rare Butterfly Program, Coldwater River State Park, and Binder Park Zoo Coldwater, MI – July 28, 2025 – Coldwater Solar today announced the recipients of $150,000 awarded through the Apex Clean Energy Conservation Grant Program. The program, a first of its kind in the industry, allocates funds to conservation efforts near the company’s clean energy projects, contributing up to $1,000 per megawatt of each project’s generating capacity to preserve and restore natural resources in the surrounding area. On behalf of Coldwater Solar, Apex is awarding conservation grants to support important Michigan conservation projects being led by Ducks Unlimited and John Ball Zoo. “Apex is leading by example, showing how clean energy projects can not only be developed in an environmentally responsible way, but also go above and beyond to accelerate local and regional conservation efforts,” said Carol Guy-Stapleton, sustainability lead at Apex Clean Energy. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with our conservation partners and support the important work they do to restore and preserve vital habitat. Each of these efforts addresses unique needs of Michigan ecosystems, preserving and restoring these treasured natural resources for years to come.” Continue reading

Happy July from the Coldwater Solar team!   The construction team has been making steady progress towards completing their work this year on Coldwater Solar. To date, more than 600 individual workers have been on site to support the project's construction. We're grateful to our contractor partners at Barton Malow and Conti, as well as our partners in labor from the Carpenters & Millwrights, Electrical Workers, and Laborers unions, to name a few. Construction Progress Update Final Panel Installation: So far, 80% of the project's modules have been installed. Install crews are now working south of Lockwood road in Ovid township. We expect the remaining solar panels to be installed by the end of July. Wiring Installation: Crews continue connecting panels together and managing connection of the panels to the inverters. This work is approximately 50% complete, and trails behind the installation of the modules themselves. Project Substation: Work on the project substation is nearly complete, which will transmit power generated from the solar project to the regional electric grid via a new utility switchyard. Project substation and utility switchyard Upcoming Activities: Fence Gates: The perimeter fence gates are in the process of being installed throughout the project, securing the facility as we prepare for commercial operations later this year. Temporary Parking Lot Removal/Access Road Caps: The temporary parking lots at various arrays are being removed, with the gravel from the lots being used to cap the internal access roads. The lot areas will be decompacted and restored for the landowners and returned to farming or other uses. Testing & Commissioning: As arrays are completed, access will be restricted to crews with proper electrical training for testing and commissioning.

We hope your summer is off to a great start. We're certainly keeping busy over at Coldwater Solar, with major progress being made across the site in anticipation of construction concluding before the end of the year.   Nearly 300 workers are on site installing panels, managing electrical connections, constructing the substation, and restoring field conditions as crews move from one array to the next.   Here's a quick rundown on recent progress and upcoming activities: View from the fence off Sanford Road Construction Progress Update Tree Screening Plan: Our updated tree screening plan has been approved by Ovid Township, which will see a more diverse array of trees planted between the project and neighboring residences. These changes were made in response to resident feedback and we were pleased that we were able to work with our neighbors to amend the original plan. Vegetation Management: As crews conclude panel installation, our array mix grasses are becoming better established throughout the site, especially in Coldwater Township. The grass is doing so well in some locations that we will be mowing to ensure crews have access to complete their work and avoid the spread of potential weeds. An additional round of seeding will take place this fall in areas where vegetation establishment is spotty due to construction disturbance. Racking Installation: Our racking and torque tube crews are nearly complete with their work, paving the way for module installation sitewide. The special terrain-following racking system used at Coldwater solar (manufactured by New Mexico-based ARRAY Technologies with American steel) helped minimize grading and soil disturbance throughout the site. Panel Deliveries: All panels and inverters are now delivered on site, so neighbors can expect a reduction in truck traffic moving forward. Panel Installation: We're halfway there! Over 50% of modules have now been installed. North side of project at Garfield and Sanford Upcoming Activities Here’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Remaining Panel Installation: We expect all of the project's solar panels (286,720 to be exact) to be installed by the end of July, if not sooner. Cable Management: Crews will be busy connecting panels together and managing the installation of our CAB System, a cable harness system that keeps all of the wires in place. The solar arrays will also be connected to the project's inverters, which convert the direct current (DC) power from the panels to the alternating current (AC) that we use in our homes and is transmitted via the local electric grid. Operations & Maintenance Building: Later this year, construction is planned for an operations and maintenance building that will be located next to the substation, off Sanford Road. This facility will house spare parts, monitoring equipment, and our permanent operations staff.      

In recognition of Construction Safety Week, we want to say a special thank you to the entire construction team, including our contracting partners at Barton Malow, our friends in labor, and our landowners for ensuring a safe construction environment. As one of Apex's core values, safety is prioritized from our corporate offices down to our projects in development, construction, and operations. Safety guides everything that we do to ensure all workers go home safe and healthy each day.   Construction continues at Coldwater Solar as we approach the summer months. We are now at what we consider "peak construction", with 200 workers regularly on site delivering and installing panels and engaged in other construction activities. Here's a quick rundown on recent progress and upcoming activities: Construction Progress Update Pile Installation Complete: With more than 50,000 piles now installed across the site, pile installation is effectively complete. Thank you for your patience during what is generally one of the more disruptive periods in solar farm construction. Racking Installation: With all of the piles in place, our racking install crews are moving throughout the site to install torque tubes and tracking system components that will allow the panels to follow the sun throughout the day, maximizing their energy output. Panel Deliveries: We are about 60% complete with our panel deliveries. Expect truck traffic to continue through May as those deliveries wrap up. Substation: Following the delivery of our main power transformer this spring, additional major components for the project substation and switchyard have been delivered in recent weeks including our control house, which is a small building/trailer that allows for control and monitoring of the substation. Control house installation at the project substation Upcoming Activities Here is what you can expect in the months ahead: Panel Installation: Out panel installation crews have mobilized and have installed about 2% of the project's panels to date. Their work will accelerate in the months ahead. Setback Area Farming: Outside of the fence, much of the setback area that is accessible to equipment will continue to be farmed. Some inaccessible areas will be planted with a special pollinator friendly habitat mix in partnership with the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund.

Construction progress on Coldwater Solar will accelerate this month as pile installation wraps up and racking and module deliveries continue. Here's a quick rundown on recent progress and upcoming activities: Construction Progress Update Pile Installation: Over 34,000 piles have been installed across the site and the work is about 70% complete. The remaining piles will be installed throughout the month of April. Thank you for your patience during this process. You may have noticed some yellow sleeves being installed around the steel piles across the project. These sleeves help prevent mechanical stress from "frost heave", when the soil moves during the freeze/thaw cycle in the spring and fall. This important piece helps avoid stress on the racking and modules during those seasonal temperature changes. Racking & Module Delivery: Components for our racking/tracking system as well as solar modules themselves are being delivered throughout the site. You may notice components being staged at one of several temporary laydown yards throughout the site. This is to cut down on truck traffic and ensure components are staged where they will be needed. About 75% of our racking system has been delivered and over 15% of the solar modules have been delivered as of today. Landscaping Plan: We've been working with landowners and neighbors to finalize our landscaping screening plan along mutual property lines. Trees and shrubs associated with the plan will be planted this fall. Upcoming Activities Here’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Pile Installation Completion: Weather permitting, we are on track to complete pile installation by May. Ongoing Panel Deliveries: Delivery of the solar panels themselves will continue throughout the month, so expect an increase in truck traffic along the primary delivery route on Fenn Road and Angola Road near I-69 during this process. Construction Milestones: The Barton Malow team is on schedule and we are targeting substantial completion by the end of September or early October in preparation for commencing operations by the end of the year.

Spring is just around the corner and construction on Coldwater Solar will accelerate as the ground thaws and the temperatures climb. You are likely well aware of some of the construction activities taking place, such as pile installation, but we'll provide a quick overview of progress in the past month and what lies ahead below: Construction Progress Update Pile Installation: With over 20,000 piles delivered on site, the construction team has been laying out the piles prior to install. Once pile locations are set, install crews follow to pre-drill pile locations where needed and then install. Over 6,000 piles have been installed so farm, with just over 40,000 remaining. We know this is one of the more disruptive parts of construction and appreciate your patience as we work to complete the process as quickly and safely as possible. Main Power Transformer Delivery: Last month we received the main power transformer for the project substation (pictured above). These impressive pieces of machinery help "step up" the voltage from the project so that it can be transmitted on the 138 KV line running through the project area. Did you know that Coldwater Solar funded over $7 million in upgrades to the local transmission system? This included rebuilding the entire line section with Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) to improve function and reliability. Underground Collection Line: The team is over 50% complete on the installation of underground collection line throughout the site. Racking System: We have begun taking deliveries of the panel racking and tracking system, which enable the panels to track the sun throughout the day and maximize power generation. Upcoming ActivitiesHere’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Pile Installation: Installation will continue during daytime construction hours, 7:00am-6:00pm M-F and occasionally Saturdays based on weather and site conditions. Work continues on arrays 1-4, located in Coldwater Township, and will proceed south through the site in the coming weeks. Multiple pile crews are operating to complete this task as quickly as possible, taking into account weather conditions as the ground thaws. Panel Deliveries: Delivery of the solar panels themselves, which will involve an increase in truck traffic to the site, is on track to begin in April. Operations Timeline: The is on schedule and expected to reach mechanical completion yet this year and commence operations in late 2025 or early 2026. As we have additional news, we'll continue sharing them with you in these monthly updates. We’re excited to complete construction in the next year and begin operating the project, delivering clean energy to the electric grid and delivering significant community benefits to Coldwater and Ovid Townships.

Moving into the first full week of February, construction activity at Coldwater Solar is slated to ramp up with pile installation starting this month, panel delivery in the coming months, and full installation of the project starting in the late spring and continuing throughout the summer. Here's a quick look at our latest updates and what’s ahead: Construction Progress Update Here are some recent highlights: Underground Collection Line: Installation of underground collection line continues throughout the site. This includes trenching, laying, and backfilling, as well as drain tile repair and rerouting as required based on the site layout. Inverter Pile Installation: You may have noticed or heard crews out installing the initial piles for our inverter pads. The inverters convert the DC power generated by the panels to AC power, which travels on the transmission line and is used in all of our homes. Each Inverter has 10 piles and the pile crew has been working relatively quickly throughout the site over the next few weeks to complete this task. Pile Layout: Crews are also starting to position piles throughout the site that will be driven into the ground for mounting of our tracking system and eventually the panels themselves. Crews positioning inverter piles for installation Upcoming Activities Here’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Pile Installation: Full pile installation throughout the project site is expected to begin either the week of February 17th or the 24th. This will be the most noticeable part of construction, as crews drive piles into the ground to support the racking system for the panels. This work creates noise and the sound can travel, so we apologize in advance for the disruption. Installation will occur during daytime construction hours, 7:00am-6:00pm M-F and occasionally Saturdays based on weather and site conditions. Work will start with Region 1, which is located between Garfield and Stickney Roads, along Sanford Road in Coldwater Township, and proceed south throughout the site. Multiple pile crews may be operating at the same time to complete this task as quickly as possible. Panel Deliveries: Delivery of the solar panels themselves, which will involve an increase in truck traffic to the site, is expected to begin in April. Operations Timeline: The project remains on track for mechanical completion by the end of 2025 and operations commencing in late 2025 or early 2026. As we have additional news, we'll continue sharing them with you in these monthly updates. We’re excited to complete construction in the next year and begin operating the project, delivering clean energy to the electric grid and delivering significant community benefits to Coldwater and Ovid Townships.

As we welcome 2025, the Coldwater Solar team would like to thank you for your continued patience and consideration shown to our construction team. We're looking forward to another productive year of progress and collaboration with you. Here's a look at our recent updates and what’s ahead: Construction Progress Update Here are some recent highlights: Fence Installation: The perimeter fencing has been fully installed, ensuring construction can proceed safely and securely. Substation Work: Construction of the substation is progressing on schedule, with the primary foundation poured and other preparations continuing smoothly ahead of main power transformer and other equipment deliveries later this year. Workforce Milestone: Over 150 workers have contributed nearly 50,000 hours of effort on-site, helping drive the project forward efficiently and safely. Upcoming Activities Here’s what you can expect in the months ahead: Electrical Work: Trenching, installation, and backfill for underground collection lines will continue through the winter. Pile Deliveries: We've received our first steel pile deliveries in preparation for pile installation, which is expected to begin between February and March. Solar Panel Deliveries: These will follow by April, with installation to take place throughout the summer. Operations Estimate: The project remains on track for mechanical completion by the end of 2025 and operations commencing in late 2025 or early 2026.