DTE Energy Solar Array Design/Build
As part of its plan to increase energy generation from renewable sources, DTE Energy wanted a highly visible solar project connected to its grid. Site selection for the new DTE solar array was complex. Chosen as the turnkey聽solar developer for the project, GEM Energy researched 29 possible sites for DTE鈥檚 consideration. In the end, DTE selected a farm field along interstate near the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
It was two years before GEM Energy was released to proceed with design and construction, and in that time the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality declared the site a regulated wetland. We obtained a wetland permit and slightly revised the design plans and construction technique to keep the project on track.
The 2,736-panel ground-mount solar array can generate 750 kW, which is enough to power 125 homes.