Viewing Grant Proposal: DTE Electric-Community Solar in Detroit

I have been a housing advocate for fifteen years working with Detroiters facing high housing and utility costs. I live on the East Side of Detroit and see the emotional toll housing instability places on low-income residents. I urge the Commission to approve the DTE Electric–Community Solar Pilot Project. This program provides relief to residents earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty line—many of whom are cost-burdened renters and homeowners. Community solar is a tool to stabilize housing and reduce displacement. Please fund this pilot to support affordability, housing security, and clean energy justice in Detroit.

I’m a small business owner with a recycled clothing boutique in Detroit, keeping previously loved/gently used clothes out of landfills. I support this solar pilot project because it strengthens our local economy. Reducing household energy costs means more money circulating in the community. Renewable energy is an investment in economic justice. I live in Detroit, and I am also a water equity advocate in Detroit. I understand that water and energy affordability are deeply linked. Households struggling to pay for one utility are often struggling to pay for both. The DTE Community Solar Pilot Project will reduce energy burdens for low-income residents—freeing up income for other essential services like water and maybe even some of my recycled clothing and handmade recycled jewelry from tires, bottles, cans, and plastics. This EIED grant aligns with broader efforts to build utility justice and should be approved as part of an integrated approach to supporting Detroit families. I support this project and ask you to approve the EIED grant for DTE's community solar pilot project.

I am a native Detroiter and longtime resident of Detroit who is a committed clean energy advocate. I’ve invested in photovoltaic solar arrays and small-scale wind turbines that are grid-tied to my home. To date, these systems have generated over 20 megawatt-hours of clean, free electricity for my household and the grid. This firsthand experience has shown me just how powerful renewable energy can be—not only in reducing carbon emissions, but also in delivering real financial savings over time. But I also recognize that most people, especially renters and low-income households, don’t have the resources or property conditions to install their own renewable systems. That’s why I fully support DTE Electric’s Community Solar Pilot Project under the 2025 Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development (EIED) Grants Proposal. This project will allow more Detroiters—especially those living on fixed incomes or below the federal poverty line—to benefit from solar energy through shared access and bill credits. Community solar is the next step in building an equitable and resilient clean energy future. I urge the Michigan Public Service Commission to fund this project and help make renewable energy accessible to all—not just those who can afford to install it.

As a full-time teacher in the Detroit Public Schools Community District, I work hard to serve my students and community. Like many Detroiters, I also work a second job just to make ends meet. I rent an apartment, and although I deeply care about clean energy and lowering my carbon footprint, I don’t have the option to install solar panels where I live. That’s why I strongly support the DTE Electric–Community Solar Pilot Project and urge the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve the 2025 EIED grant funding for this initiative. This program would allow renters like me—who are otherwise shut out of the solar market—to access the benefits of renewable energy and lower monthly bills. It’s a practical, inclusive, and urgently needed solution for working-class Detroiters who want to be part of a clean energy future but simply can’t afford or install their own systems. Please support this pilot for teachers, renters, and others striving to live more sustainably while keeping up with the cost of living.

Detroit is a food desert which is generally defined as an urban area where access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, is limited or nonexistent, especially for residents without reliable transportation because it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food near your home. I am a member of a Detroit faith community and part of our ministry is developing community gardens for neighbors to have fresh fruit and vegetables on what was vacant, blighted land. I believe we are called to be stewards of the Earth and to care for our neighbors. The DTE Community Solar Pilot Project reflects those values. This pilot project supports clean energy while providing financial relief for low-income families. Our congregation supports this effort to reduce pollution, fight energy poverty, and bring light to those who need it most. Please approve the EIED grant for this impactful and just initiative.

As a resident of Detroit and a Building Data Analyst, I work daily to leverage data-driven insights to reduce energy and water consumption in buildings while advancing sustainability initiatives. With a deep commitment to solving environmental challenges, I am also an entrepreneur developing green technology solutions—especially those focused on eliminating food waste through circular economy principles. One of my key efforts involves gamifying sustainable habit-building to help communities embrace long-term zero-waste systems. Due to my background in sustainable practices and green infrastructure, I strongly support the DTE Electric–Community Solar Pilot Project as part of the 2025 Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development (EIED) Grants Proposal. This pilot offers a crucial opportunity to expand renewable energy access to low-income Detroiters who may otherwise be left behind in the clean energy transition. Community solar provides shared ownership of clean energy benefits—including reduced monthly bills—without requiring expensive on-site solar installations. This is exactly the kind of innovative, equity-focused project Detroit needs to empower communities, reduce emissions, and build a resilient energy future for everyone. I urge the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve and fund this vital pilot program.