Ford Motor Company and utility DTE Energy have inked a power purchase agreement to offtake 650 MW of solar capacity in Michigan.
Ford claimed that this is the largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in US history. DTE Energy will add 650 MW of new PV capacity in Michigan to supply the automobile maker by 2025.
Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company, said: “This unprecedented agreement is all about a greener and brighter future for Ford and for Michigan. Today is an example of what it looks like to lead… to turn talk into action.”
To supply Ford, DTE needs to find 6,000 acres of land to turn into a solar farm. The solar project will increase the total installed solar capacity in Michigan by nearly 70%, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Construction of the solar farm will create 250 temporary jobs and 10 permanent roles, estimated DTE.
In addition, the new solar arrays also bring tax money that benefits the local communities. Some of the community support services that can be funded with these tax money includes roads, schools, libraries, and first responders.
The additional tax money these projects provide benefits the local communities where DTE’s renewable energy installations are located. Roads, schools, libraries, and first responders are just a few of the community support services that can be funded with these funds.
Jerry Norcia, chairman and CEO, DTE Energy, said: “We want to congratulate Ford Motor Company for its environmental leadership and commitment to clean energy.
"Ford was the first large industrial customer to enroll in our MIGreenPower program in 2019 and we thank Ford for its continued commitment to using MIGreenPower to help decarbonize its operations and meet its sustainability goals.”
