DTE Energy could add 420 MW of solar energy within two years under new plan
DTE Energy is planning a major influx of solar energy to Michigan under a new plan filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) this week, pressing for as much as 420 MW by 2022.
It’s a staggering figure, given that it would see DTE’s solar generation capacity increase by nearly 10 times in that short time, and provide enough clean energy to power 120,000 homes. This would stem from a mix of purchases from corporate, municipal, and industrial customers participating in the company’s MIGreenPower program and, by the end of 2022, leave DTE with enough solar and wind energy capacity to power 900,000 homes.
The additions also stand to help DTE offset approximately 4.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent. Also helping that effort are the three additional wind parks nearing operational status and the 15 wind parks and 31 solar farms already at the company’s disposal.
“DTE is delivering on its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and meet customer demand for more renewable energy,” Trevor Lauer, president of DTE Energy’s electric company, said. “We appreciate the broad-based customer interest in our MIGreenPower voluntary renewable energy program, which is on track to be one of the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the country. Bringing more renewable energy projects online benefits our customers, the environment, and our state’s economy.”
The MIGreenPower program is open to all DTE electric customers who want to assign more of their energy use to the company’s wind and solar energy projects. So far, around 16,000 residential and small business customers, as well as larger companies like General Motors and Ford Motor Company, have enrolled in the program.
