DTE Energy partners with Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Company as energy company becomes Michigan's largest investor in solar

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May 14, 2015, 10:25 ET

DETROIT, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy today announced it is teaming with Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Company to build and operate the two largest solar arrays in Michigan.

DTE Energy is the largest investor in solar energy in the state.

DTE Energy has begun construction of a 1.1-megawatt photovoltaic solar installation at Domino's Farms, just east of Ann Arbor, which will be completed and operational by the end of the year. The project will comprise more than 4,000 panels on property just north of M-14 and west of Earhart Road. The solar installation will have capacity to generate 1,089 kilowatts of electricity – enough to power 185 average-sized homes.

Paul Roney, president of Domino's Farms, said he is proud of the partnership with DTE Energy.

"This will be a great addition to the many unique and sustainable features we have on our properties," Roney said. "Just as important, this solar installation will generate the equivalent of one-quarter of the energy consumed at Domino's Farms each day – a clean, sustainable energy solution."

As construction began on the new Domino's Farms array, a separate solar project at Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters in Dearborn became operational.

The project, launched last year, provides Ford employees with 360 covered parking spaces and 30 charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles. The solar canopy has capacity to generate 1 megawatt of electricity – enough to power 170 average-sized homes. It is the second-largest solar carport in the Midwest.

"These large-scale solar projects are examples of how DTE partners with customers to build a more sustainable future," said Irene Dimitry, DTE Energy vice president, Business Planning & Development. "These projects, as well as our investment in wind energy, have helped us meet Michigan's renewable energy goals and diversify our energy portfolio."

DTE Energy will construct, operate and maintain the solar arrays for 20 years.

The Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Co. projects are part of SolarCurrents, a pilot program launched in 2009. DTE Energy has installed nearly 10 megawatts of solar energy across 22 sites in metro Detroit and in Michigan's "Thumb" area.

"DTE's experience in developing solar in Michigan has provided valuable learnings with regard to the true cost, benefits and issues associated with utility- and customer-owned solar capacity," Dimitry said.

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