Detroit to use solar power to power all city buildings
All Detroit municipal buildings to be powered by community solar as part of city's efforts to combat climate change
Detroit Rock Solar City has determined that it will need approximately 250 acres of solar panels to achieve 100 percent solar power for its municipal buildings. To that end, it proposes a win-win scheme that invites communities and block clubs to apply to b uild solar farms in their area, and if they operate farms, they too can benefit from it.
Solar sites must be between 10 and 50 acres, and for every acre of solar assembled, a community benefit of $25,000 will be available for community projects such as park and recreation improvements, home repairs, and solar on neighboring homes.
“If we feel a community's proposal is a good fit, we will engage with residents to determine what they want and need to help create more energy-efficient and climate-resilient homes, or optimize their shared spaces,” said Ray Solomon, director of the Detroit Department of Communities.
Beginning July 1, teams of at least five users can fill out a community interest form on the city's website, and applications will be accepted until October 2. Communities that apply can request to be paired with nonprofits or other solar experts (“Neighborho od Solar Partners ”) to help them draft plans.
In its announcement, the city emphasized that solar fields will only be placed in communities that request them, and issued a request for information from solar developers to help design new solar communities.
Article source: electrek
