DTE to build largest utility-owned solar array east of the Mississippi

Two new solar projects will provide enough zero-emission power for 9,000 homes

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Dec 21, 2015, 10:54 ET

DETROIT, Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy, in collaboration with the City of Lapeer, Mich., plans to break ground in the spring of 2016 on 45 megawatts (MW) of new solar generating capacity at two project sites. The projects will generate enough to power 9,000 average size homes with clean, zero-emission solar energy.

The larger of the two projects will be 30 MW, located off Interstate 69 between Michigan Highway 24 and Lake Nepessing Road. When completed, it will be the largest operating utility-owned photovoltaic solar array east of the Mississippi and the third largest in the country. A second project totaling 15 MW will be developed simultaneously at a site located on Turrill Road between Michigan Highway 24 and Clark Road.

"DTE is the largest investor in solar in the state. The development of the two new Lapeer solar projects furthers that investment and reflects DTE Energy's broader commitment to build a more sustainable future for our customers through a cleaner, more diversified energy portfolio," said Irene Dimitry, DTE Energy's vice president of Business & Development.

On Dec. 11, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved DTE's contract with Inovateus Solar MI, LLC to develop additional solar generating capacity of up to 50 MW. This approval allows DTE to move forward with development of the two Lapeer sites. The company is evaluating other sites for the remaining 5 MW of the approved generating capacity.

"Lapeer is proud to partner with DTE Energy on these solar projects, and we look forward to a long term relationship that produces many benefits for the City of Lapeer, its residents, Lapeer County, Lapeer Community schools, the I-69 corridor, and beyond. I would like to thank the professional, detail-oriented team at DTE for their commitment to the City of Lapeer," said William Sprague, mayor of the City of Lapeer.

DTE is currently developing five other solar projects across Michigan, including a 1.9 MW array at the company's Greenwood Power Plant, a 750-kilowatt (kW) array in Romulus and a 500 kW array in Brownstown, which will be complete by the end of 2015. The company is also planning an 800 kW installation in Ypsilanti and an 800 kW installation at the GM Warren Transmission plant, scheduled to be completed by June 2016.

The addition of these solar projects will 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.

DTE is the largest investor in renewable energy in the state, having driven investments of over $2 billion in renewable resources since 2008. Today, DTE Energy's entire renewable energy portfolio, including solar, wind and biomass, is capable of generating nearly 1,000 megawatts 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 facilities owned and operated by third-party developers in Michigan. All of the power generated by these facilities is fed into the company's electrical grid and distributed to where it is needed.

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

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SOURCE DTE Energy