According to DTE
Energy they are currently in the process of obtaining city approval to build a
solar energy facility in Ypsilanti, with a goal of beginning construction by
next summer. The proposed facility would rank as the third largest partially or
fully owned by DTE, being made up of 2,800 solar panels. This massive installation
would be the 24th solar site in the Southeast Michigan region for
DTE.
When finished the
facility would be expected to produce another 800 kilowatts of electricity, roughly
enough to power 150 homes, adding to the 10 megawatts currently produced in the
area. According to DTE, the company will construct, operate, and maintain the
new solar site for 20 years. The announcement comes shortly before Senate
Bill 438, a bill that would change parts of the 2008 energy law that
requires utility providers to generate 10 percent of their electricity from renewable
energy sources, is expected to be discussed by the Senate Energy and Technology
Committee again. Both DTE Energy and Consumers Energy are well on pace to meet
their 10 percent requirement that is currently required by law.
The bill is a hotly
debated item currently as groups like the Environmental Entrepreneurs and the
Natural Resources Defense Council have celebrated the current policy as
something that sets Michigan apart in the clean energy arena. Recently Michigan
was recognized by the Environmental Entrepreneurs as a top 5 state for job
announcements in 2015’s first quarter.