DTE Energy has started operating Lapeer solar farm, located in in the US state of Michigan.
The solar park features 200,000 panels, which generate enough clean energy for 11,000 homes. It is located on more than 250 acres at Demille Road and Turrill Road.
DTE Energy broke ground on the project in spring 2016, in partnership with the city of Lapeer.
Lapeer Mayor William Sprague said: “The Lapeer project has been extremely positive for our residents.It has called attention to Lapeer not only throughout the state but nationwide.
"I have received many calls from others in government regarding the project's benefits and what they can do to attract solar projects to their communities."
Presently, solar energy forms 7% of DTE’s renewable energy portfolio, with an investment of $170m since 2008.
The company generates about 1GW of renewable energy in total which is used for powering as many 450,000 homes in the state. Its renewable portfolio includes 13 wind farms and 31 solar plants.
The company’s renewable energy portfolio also includes O'Shea solar park in Detroit, claimed to be one of the largest urban solar arrays in the Midwest. The project was developed with a public-private partnership between DTE and the City of Detroit.
DTE Energy business planning and development vice president Irene Dimitry said: "DTE is committed to providing our 2.2 million customers with energy that is reliable, affordable and cleaner. DTE plans to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2050 in a way that works for Michigan's economy, homeowners and businesses.
“We will achieve these reductions by incorporating substantially more renewable energy into our diverse energy mix while also transitioning our 24/7 power sources from coal to natural gas, continuing to operate our zero-emission Fermi 2 nuclear power plant, and improving options for customers to save energy and reduce bills."
Image: DTE Energy’s Lapeer solar project in Michigan starts operations. Photo: Courtesy of DTE Energy/PRNewswire.