Title
Resolution to Approve a Purchase Order with DTE Energy (DTE) to Conduct Initial Engineering and Distribution Studies Regarding a Potential Solar Energy Facility on and Surrounding the Ann Arbor Landfill (not to exceed $90,000.00)
Memorandum
In order to meet the City's climate and clean energy goals, staff have been exploring opportunities for onsite renewable energy deployment throughout the City. After careful analysis, the area known as the former landfill, the area abutting the Wheeler service center, and a portion of the land currently within the Planned Unit Development the City has with Pittsfield Township (throughout the remainder of this document, this area is referred to as "the landfill") was identified as a very strong location for a large solar installation (see accompanying attachment for a visual of the site being considered).
When the City identified the landfill as a strong contender for an onsite solar installation, staff reached out to DTE to explore their interest in partnering to develop the site as a solar energy facility. DTE agreed but noted that, through the interconnection process, they would be considered a developer by the Michigan Public Service Commission and, therefore, would have to follow the exact same procedures as every other solar developer submitting interconnection applications to DTE. The City understood and agreed to this process as long as DTE agreed to be fully transparent about all steps and associated costs, and include the City as a main decision-maker at each point in the process. DTE agreed, thus putting the project into motion.
The first step in this process was conducting a preliminary assessment of the solar potential at the landfill. Working in partnership with the City and Black and Veatch, DTE discovered that the site has a potential for just under 24MW of solar energy capacity (in which generation would be nearly the equivalent of all municipal energy usage). Preliminary site designs were created t...
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