DTE Energy has completed three new solar projects in Avoca, Brownstown and Romulus, continuing the company’s position as the state’s largest solar energy producer. DTE now has 26 utility-owned solar arrays in operation with enough generating capacity to power 2,400 homes with clean, zero-emission energy.
“DTE Energy is proud to be leading Michigan as the state’s largest investor and producer of both wind and solar energy,” said Irene Dimitry, vice president of Business and Development at DTE Energy. “Since 2009, DTE has invested more than $67 million in solar energy, supporting a cleaner, greener environment and a more sustainable future for our communities.”
All three projects became operational in late 2015 and early 2016. Details of each project include:
DTE’s Greenwood Energy Center: At 1.95 megawatts (MW), the new array in Avoca, located northwest of Port Huron, can produce enough to power 329 homes, and became the largest active solar array in Michigan when it began operations on Jan. 29.
DTE Romulus Solar Array: Located on Citrin Drive near Interstate 94 and Middlebelt Road, this array can produce 750 kilowatts (kW), enough to power 126 homes; it started operations on Dec. 21, 2015.
DTE Brownstown Township: The 500 kW array, located on Pennsylvania Road near Interstate 75 and Pennsylvania Road, can produce enough power for 84 homes and became operational on Dec. 29, 2015.
In addition to DTE’s 26 currently operating solar arrays, the company has four more solar projects under development, including an array in Ypsilanti, at the GM Warren Transmission plant, and two large-scale arrays in Lapeer. The larger of the Lapeer solar projects is 30 MW and will be the largest utility-owned solar array east of the Mississippi River when complete. The addition of these solar projects will help position DTE Energy to exceed a state mandate requiring electric utilities to supply 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources every year from 2015 to 2029.
“When DTE came to Brownstown Township and asked if we would like to participate in this project, we were eager to assist them,” said Giuseppe DiSanto, economic development manager of Brownstown Township. “DTE has always been at the forefront of renewable energy technology and we are glad that Brownstown has a solar array to provide clean energy to the downriver area.”
DTE is the largest investor in renewable energy in the state, having driven investments of more than $2 billion in renewable resources since 2008. Today, DTE’s entire renewable energy portfolio, including solar, wind and biomass, is capable of generating nearly 1,000 MW of electricity, enough to power 400,000 homes. The portfolio includes facilities owned and operated by DTE Energy, along with contracts to purchase power from third-party developers in Michigan. All of the power generated by these facilities is fed into DTE’s electrical grid and distributed to those who need it.
