Starting in April, DTE Energy customers will have the opportunity to buy more of their power from wind and solar farms through MIGreenPower. Energy for the program will be sourced from the Pinnebog Wind Project, located in Huron County, and three solar arrays located in Detroit and Lapeer. By subscribing to MIGreenPower, customers can elect to increase the amount of renewable energy they use in 5 percent increments, up to 100 percent.
“Until now, customers who wanted to use more renewable energy were limited to installing their own solar panels or other renewable equipment at their homes or businesses — which requires a significant initial investment,” says Irene Dimitry, vice president of business planning and development at DTE Energy. “We also know that customers who rent apartments or live in condos may be unable to make any alterations to the exterior structure of the homes they live in. MIGreenPower is designed to address customer demand for a more flexible and affordable alternative.”
Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township says it is interested in being one of the program’s early adopters. Selfridge officials believe the MIGreenPower can help the base meet its sustainability goals and efficiently and economically.
Participation in MIGreenPower is voluntary and open to all of DTE’s 2.2 million full-service business and residential electric customers. Those who participate in the program will see a slight increase in their monthly bill depending on the amount of energy they select.
DTE expects a typical residential customer who subscribes to an additional 25 percent renewable energy to see a net increase of $5 per month on their bill. A calculator on the program’s website will help customers project the changes in their bill, as well as the corresponding environmental impact.
DTE has invested more than $2 billion in renewable energy throughout Michigan since 2008. In 2016, more than 10 percent of the energy provided was generated from renewable sources statewide — enough to power 450,000 homes — due to energy mandates pushed by the Granholm administration.
