Detroit has plans to install solar arrays on blighted & vacant land to power all city buildings with clean, renewable energy.
The city is currently paying DTE $9 million annually for electricity. Being part of this initiative will give Detroit a federal tax incentive of 30% or more of the costs of renewable energy.
In recent years, Michigan has seen firsthand the effects of climate change. From wildfire smoke that made the city have the worst air quality in the world to basements that have been flooded from continuous rainfall. In January this year, the National Weather Service reported the lowest snowfall in December and the wettest January.
“We believe this solar program will not only help the residents in the neighborhoods that have opted into this initiative but be a big step in our path to mitigating climate change,” said Jack Akinlosotu, Director of the Office of Sustainability
The Neighborhood Solar Initiative plans to help residents with their homes and surrounding areas. Blighted and vacant lots that have not been used in years will be transformed into solar arrays. According to the city, fences and beautification measures will also be taken to prevent illegal dumping.
Neighbors located in the footprint of the final sites can get up to $25,000 of benefits per home for new windows, roof repairs, new furnaces, hot water heaters, and more to help improve their homes.
There are currently nine neighborhoods that are finalists for solar array host neighborhoods.
The Neighborhood Solar Initiative, first announced by Mayor Mike Duggan last June, will help power up the city’s 127 municipal buildings, including City Hall, police and fire stations, and recreation centers. The city of Detroit will all own and operate the solar panels.
📍Gratiot/Findlay
📍Greenfield Park/I-75-McNichols
📍Grixdale
📍Houston Whittier/Hayes (Outer Drive Hayes)
📍I96/ Plymouth (O’Shea)
📍Mount Olivet
📍State Fair
📍Trinity Pickford
📍Van Dyke/Lynch
For more information or to get involved, reach out to your city District Manager at detroitmi.gov/departments/department-neighborhoods.
Visit detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-sustainability/solar-neighborhood-initiative to learn more.
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