DTE Energy has installed the first of nearly 200,000 total solar panels to be located at the company’s two solar projects in Lapeer, Michigan. The solar parks, capable of providing enough clean energy to power more than 9,000 homes, demonstrate DTE’s commitment to bring more clean energy to Michigan.DTE’s Lapeer solar projects will create approximately 150 temporary jobs during construction and more than five permanent jobs once the projects are operational. The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
“DTE Energy is Michigan’s leading provider of solar energy, and the Lapeer solar projects further our commitment to clean energy. Through the development of renewable energy projects, like solar, we are building a more sustainable future for Michigan and providing affordable, reliable, safe and clean energy to our customers,” said Irene Dimitry, vice president of Business Planning and Development for DTE Energy.
The larger of DTE’s Lapeer solar projects, located on approximately 150 acres off Demille Road, is one of the largest utility-owned solar arrays east of the Mississippi River and more than 15 times larger than any other solar installation in Michigan. The second project is located off Turrill Road on 100 acres of land. All of the power generated by these facilities will be fed into the energy grid and distributed to those who need it.
“The City of Lapeer is honored to join DTE in celebrating this milestone,” said William Sprague, mayor of the City of Lapeer. “We are proud of Lapeer’s contribution to bringing more green energy to Michigan and to creating a cleaner environment for our community and for the state.”DTE has three other solar projects currently under development in Ypsilanti, at the GM Warren Transmission plant and in Detroit. By the end of the year, DTE will have 31 solar parks in operation capable of generating enough clean energy to power more than 14,000 homes.
The addition of these five solar projects will position DTE Energy to exceed a state mandate requiring electric utilities to supply 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources.DTE is Michigan’s largest investor in renewable energy, including wind and solar, having driven investments of more than $2 billion since 2008, with $67 million of that spent to develop solar arrays. Today, DTE’s entire renewable energy portfolio provides enough clean energy to power more than 400,000 homes.
