DTE Energy begins operation of Ypsilanti’s largest solar array
DTE Energy has completed installation of the largest solar array in the City of Ypsilanti. The array will provide enough clean energy to power approximately 150 homes.
The array has 2,520 solar panels, enough panels to nearly cover Eastern Michigan University’s football field. Construction began in June 2016, and the array was commissioned in September.
“It is very exciting for us to mark the completion of another large-scale solar installation in southeast Michigan,” said Irene Dimitry, vice president of business and development for DTE Energy. “DTE is proud to be the state’s largest investor in solar and wind. Increasing our solar energy capacity is part of our long-term plan to move toward a cleaner, more diversified energy portfolio. We are also responding to customer interest in sourcing more energy from renewables.”
The Ypsilanti array is located at the intersection of Clark Road and River Street on approximately five acres of land owned by Highland Cemetery. The topography of the property is such that the array is virtually unnoticeable from the main grounds.
“Highland Cemetery is pleased to have partnered with DTE on this solar array,” said Barry LaRue, trustee, Highland Cemetery Association. “Not only does it increase the amount of alternative energy being generated in our community, but the income stream flowing to Highland will help us preserve one of the premier 19th century landscapes. We see it as a perfect melding of the past, present and future.”
DTE is currently completing work on three additional large scale solar arrays in the cities of Detroit and Lapeer, expected to be completed in spring of 2017, bringing the number of DTE solar installations statewide to 31.
Since 2008, DTE has driven investments of $2 billion in renewable energy, approximately $73 million of which has been invested in solar energy. Today, DTE’s renewable energy portfolio includes 12 wind parks and 28 solar arrays in Michigan. In 2015, more than 10 percent of the electricity provided by DTE was generated from a renewable source in Michigan – enough clean energy to power more than 400,000 homes.
Photo: courtesy of DTE Energy