Consumers Energy, DTE Energy Announce “MI Community Solar”

(October 25, 2021 11:44 AM) Consumers Energy and DTE Energy today announced the launch of MI Community Solar, a first-in-the-nation education campaign to promote the efforts of large and diverse communities of Michiganders going solar together. 

The project, announced in a joint press event, will educate Michiganders about existing and future opportunities to participate in renewable energy programs through a responsibly regulated and shared energy system. The MI Community Solar public education campaign will include experts from DTE Energy and Consumers Energy telling the story of their historic voluntary investments being made together by a statewide community of solar subscribers, growing Michigan’s green energy future and offering everyone the same opportunity to go solar together.

Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are the state’s two largest solar energy providers.

Together, Michigan’s utilities are investing billions of dollars into new community solar projects over the next few years, with more in the pipeline. MI Community Solar programs, such as DTE’s MIGreenPower offering in southeast Michigan and Consumers Energy’s Solar Gardens in three locations throughout Michigan, allow Michiganders to use clean energy for a few dollars a month.

“MI Community Solar is an inclusive, equitable approach to building a community of solar participants, powered by all of us and supporting a greener future for Michigan,” said Sarah Nielsen with Consumers Energy. “We’re also building sustainable communities by supporting good union jobs going to local workers – because we must ensure that the transition to a green economy is just, and that workers are not left behind.” 

Michigan’s energy companies are focused on innovating to support customer preferences and driving the future of clean energy investments. In recent years both companies have made significant across-the-board investments to strengthen climate resiliency and offer new opportunities for customers to participate in sustainable options to drive a cleaner, greener future for Michigan’s power.

“MI Community Solar is not just about the great work we’re doing today to build communities of solar users; it’s about more solar projects to come from DTE and other Michigan energy companies,” said Brian Calka, director of renewable energy solutions at DTE Energy. “Non-regulated local energy projects have the potential to drive higher costs to Michigan consumers. We are also moving at a much faster pace gaining economies of scale that can’t be replicated in the private market.”

MI Community Solar will highlight how Michigan’s leading energy companies are investing in community solar projects, building some of the Midwest’s largest solar parks and increasing renewable energy access to traditionally underserved communities. 

Consumers Energy and DTE are producing and promoting ambitious community solar programs that are increasingly popular and providing direct benefits to communities across the state. They are accelerating the delivery of affordable, reliable, renewable energy, expanding our state’s investments in cleaner and greener energy as we work together to reach carbon neutrality in our lifetime.

Every one of DTE Energy and Consumer Energy’s electric customers can join the statewide community of solar participants right now. DTE Energy electric customers can sign up for MIGreenPower at https://newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/quicklinks/migreenpower [newlook.dteenergy.com]. Consumers Energy electric customers can get more information at https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/renewable-energy.