DTE Energy unveils 28th US solar array site in General Motors’ Michigan plant

DTE Energy, the largest investor in renewable energy in Michigan, US, has completed the installation of a 900-kilowatt (KW) solar array at General Motors’ (GM) Warrant Transmission plant. The solar array is the largest installation at a GM site in Michigan, and it brings DTE’s operational solar sites to 28.

DTE has three additional large scale solar arrays under construction in the cities of Detroit and Lapeer in Michigan.

Irene Dimitry, vice president of business and development for DTE Energy, said that the company’s US$2 billion investments since 2008 to the solar and wind energy industries help reduce greenhouse gases while enabling the company to continue delivery safe, affordable and reliable energy for its 2.2 million customers.

“We are excited to be here today to celebrate the completion of this project and our partnership with General Motors,” Dimitry added.

GM recently announced its commitment to use 100% renewable energy by the year 2050 in meeting the electricity needs of its global operations, as part of the company’s overall approach to strengthening its business, improving communities and addressing its impact on the climate.

Rob Threlkeld, GM’s global manager of renewable energy, said: “By partnering with DTE on this solar array, GM is helping bring green energy options to the Warren community.”

DTE owns the 2,862-panel array, which was installed on 4.25 acres of a parking lot leased from GM Warren Transmission. The solar array will generate approximately 1.2 million (KWh) of electricity per year, the energy equivalent to powering the annual electricity needs of about 155 homes in southeast Michigan.

Today, DTE’s renewable energy portfolio includes 12 wind parks and 28 solar arrays in Michigan. In 2015, more than 10% of the electricity provided by DTE was generated from a renewable source in Michigan – enough clean energy to power more than 400,000 homes.