Harnessing the Sun: Detroit Solar Initiative

CM credit hours for mobile workshops are awarded based on the planned dedicated instructional time. Adjustments to CM hours will not be made after the live event.

The Detroit Solar Initiative aims to create five solar projects on 165 acres of primarily vacant land in historically disinvested neighborhoods. The solar arrays will offset electricity use at 127 municipal facilities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping the city meet the climate goal outlined in the Detroit Climate Strategy: reducing municipal greenhouse gas by 35 percent by 2024. This project's 23 percent reduction, combined with the 13 percent business-as-usual reduction, will put the city on track to achieve its goal.

In addition to generating clean energy, Detroit is investing in energy-efficiency upgrades of at least $15,000 per household for surrounding owner-occupied homes . This ensures that nearby residents experience tangible improvements in comfort, cost savings, and home resilience.

Learn how the city and community worked together to identify and select the five solar project locations. Gain insight into the enabling legal and zoning mechanisms and the community engagement process for selecting design elements. Hear about an initiative that allowed residents to nominate their community to participate in the solar project, identify project boundaries, and obtain direct benefits.