Ebels General Store is undertaking a large-scale solar project to help mitigate its energy expenses.

The flagship store in Falmouth already has three solar projects online. At the Evart and Reed City locations, the company is installing overhang solar panel structures, with completion estimated within the next 60 days.

The project aims to reduce the company’s energy costs and ease strain on the electricity grid, according to Tom Ebels, chief financial officer of Ebels General Store.

“With the rise of data centers, we see electricity becoming more costly as well as unstable,” Ebels said. “With parking lots and roofs to use for solar installations, one of the barriers traditionally seen in solar installations is limited. We are fortunate we can install solar and not have to occupy valuable farmland or green space.”

The family decided to begin the project a few years ago and estimates it will reduce the company’s electricity consumption by 50%.

“We are seeing quite a difference in our energy use,” Ebels said. “We are producing in some cases more than half the electricity we require.”

Ebels plans to start and complete an additional solar project in Falmouth in 2027.