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5 Neighborhoods
165 Acres of Solar Arrays
265 Energy Efficiency Upgrades
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Accelerating climate action and creating vibrant resilient neighborhoods
The Detroit Climate Strategy, informed by input of thousands of Detroiters, calls for our city to transition to clean renewable energy by 2034. The Neighborhood Solar initiative is the first step toward achieving these goals to address climate change in our city by providing clean energy, combat illegal dumping, and engaging communities and nonprofits to stabilize neighborhoods.
The Detroit Climate Strategy set goals for the City to power 100% of its municipal buildings with clean energy by 2034 and a three-year target to work with utility provider and private property owners to source 50% of Detroit’s electricity from clean energy.
Detroit’s Neighborhood Solar Initiative is transforming vacant, blighted land into clean energy production sites to power municipal buildings and fight climate change. Spearheaded by Mayor Mike Duggan, the initiative aligns with the city’s broader sustainability goals to offset 100% of municipal energy usage with renewable sources, addressing greenhouse gas emissions from city buildings.
Watch Mayor Duggan's Solar Speech
The first three neighborhoods selected to host solar arrays were announced on June 24:
By December, all Phase 1 neighborhoods finalized agreements with developers and approved landscape designs that enhance the areas with greenery and community-focused features.
Mayor Duggan recently announced two additional neighborhoods chosen to join the initiative through a competitive selection process:
These new sites add 61 acres to the program, bringing the total to 167 acres across all phases.
While this completes the Solar Neighborhoods selection process, the three finalist neighborhoods not selected at this time for solar arrays (O’Shea, Mt. Olivet, and Trinity/Pickford) would be leading candidates if future solar arrays are sought and if the neighborhoods remain interested.
Two solar field developers have been selected through an extensive bidding process to construct the fields:
The City of Detroit will maintain ownership of all the land and lease it to the developers.
The solar fields will operate for 35 years, generating clean energy. At the end of their useful life, the contracts require developers to remove all solar equipment and return the property to the City as greenfield sites, ensuring flexibility for future land use.
The project is made possible by tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, which significantly improves the financial viability of renewable energy projects like this.
Category | Annual Cost/Savings |
---|---|
Operating Costs for Solar Fields | $8.3 million |
Renewable Energy Savings | ($2.9 million) |
City Department Cost Reductions | ($3.7 million) |
Net Costs | $1.7 million |
Documented owner-occupied homes in areas adjoining the solar fields in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will receive energy efficiency upgrades. A total of 106 homes have been identified, with upgrades ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 depending on the size of the nearby solar fields.
Residents of occupied homes within the solar footprint will also receive the following on a voluntary basis:
To receive the upgrades, homeowners must have lived in their home within the qualifying neighborhood boundaries as of December 31, 2023, and must still be living there when the upgrades are performed. The City has been working through the Department of Neighborhoods and Assessor’s Office to identify eligible homes and will continue outreach to connect homeowners with these resources following City Council’s approval of the contract.
In Fall of 2023, 10 neighborhoods applied to host solar arrays in their communities as part of the Solar Neighborhood Initiative. This project is the result of cross-departmental collaboration between the City of Detroit's Office of Sustainability and the Department of Neighborhoods. Each neighborhood group designed the solar site location they felt would best serve their community, proposing to replace the most vacant areas prone to illegal dumping with solar panels.
The Phase 1 neighborhoods have successfully completed the final designs for their solar areas, which will include fencing, vegetation, and trees surrounding the arrays. Once contracts for Phase 2 are approved, these neighborhoods will have the opportunity to design the solar sites for their respective areas, ensuring community involvement every step of the way.
The City of Detroit continues working with community groups and Neighborhood Solar Partners (NSPs) to foster ongoing engagement and collaboration throughout the initiative. Community-based organizations have been instrumental in assisting residents throughout the process, ensuring that local voices are heard and involved in every stage.
The following groups will continue to advocate for neighborhood interests during the implementation of the solar fields:
Hear from local residents, City Council members, community leaders like Tammy Black, and other advocates as they share their experiences with solar energy and its impact on our neighborhoods.
In July 2023, the Detroit City Council approved phase one of a Solar Neighborhood initiative to transform large vacant land parcels into solar energy farms. The plan includes several key measures, such as establishing a Solar Equity Fund, funding solar panel technology, acquiring private land for the project, and supporting homeowners in relocating from areas designated for solar farms.
Solar Equity Fund
The Solar Equity Fund is a critical resource that facilitates site preparation, property acquisition, legal and appraisal costs, and other expenses tied to the Solar Project's development. The fund, estimated at $4.4 million, will be financed through reserves from the Utility Conversion Fund. This initiative aims to support homeowners and communities impacted by the city's solar energy transition while ensuring equitable development.
Phase One: Building Momentum
The first phase involves setting up solar farms across 103 acres in three selected neighborhoods. This includes assisting homeowners currently residing in these areas by offering buyout options to ensure a smooth transition.
Phase Two: Timeline and Homeowner Equity
Phase two, which involves selecting additional neighborhoods for solar farm development, is scheduled for 2026. Currently, five neighborhoods are competing for inclusion in phase two, with 31 owner-occupied homes in these areas already under option agreements. To address the uncertainty for these homeowners, the city proposes using the Solar Equity Fund to allow those affected to exercise their sell options and relocate if needed, mitigating challenges during this transitional period.
Long-Term Vision and Sustainability
Solar farms established under this initiative will generate renewable energy for an estimated 25–35 years. Once they reach the end of their operational life, agreements require developers to dismantle the solar equipment and restore the properties to greenfield status, ensuring the land remains environmentally sustainable for future use.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in Detroit's commitment to renewable energy and equitable urban development, transforming blighted neighborhoods into sources of clean power while prioritizing the needs of residents.
The Solar Neighborhood Initiative not only aims to reduce emissions and energy costs but also promotes quality jobs, community wealth-building, and energy resilience. It aligns with the Detroit Climate Strategy and broader national goals set by the Biden-Harris Administration, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for Detroit residents.
The initiative is crucial for achieving Detroit's goal of reducing municipal greenhouse gas by 35% by 2024 per the 2019 City Council approved GHG Ordinance. The Neighborhood Solar Initiative will offset emissions 23% of 2012 levels. Combined with the business-as-usual anticipated decrease of 13%, the City will be on track to achieve our municipal goals with a 36% reduction.
Interested in Detroit Solar updates and public engagement opportunities?
Health Outcome Benefits Estimation Using the COBRA Tool
Solar Neighborhood Factsheet
Phase 1 Design Renderings Solar Neighborhoods
FAQs Solar Neighborhood
Mayor Duggan's Solar Speech
Office of Sustainability
[email protected]Tepfirah Rushdan
Director [email protected]Tepfirah Rushdan
Director, Office of Sustainability [email protected]Tepfirah Rushdan
Director, Office of Sustainability [email protected]