DTE Energy launches 150 MW Sauk Solar Park in Michigan

DTE Energy has commenced operations at its 150 MW Sauk Solar Park in Branch County, Michigan. The facility, containing 347,000 solar panels, can provide clean energy to approximately 40,000 homes, making it DTE’s largest solar installation, surpassing its second-largest solar park in Lapeer by over threefold.

Sauk Solar is the first of six planned solar parks as part of DTE’s expansion of renewable projects through its CleanVision MIGreenPower program, supported by voluntary contributions from 100,000 residential and 1,900 business customers. The MIGreenPower initiative, one of the largest voluntary renewable programs in the US, aims to add over 2.4 GW of wind and solar capacity over the next decade to meet growing customer demand for clean energy.

DTE Electric President Matt Paul emphasized Sauk Solar’s significance for Michigan’s clean energy shift, highlighting that the construction generated over 350 local jobs. Since 2009, DTE’s renewable energy efforts have created 20,000 jobs in Michigan. Currently, DTE’s wind and solar output powers over 750,000 homes, to reach 5.5 million homes by 2042.