Detroit Breaks Ground on First Solar Neighborhood Project

DETROIT, Mich. — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, community members, and DTE Energy leadership celebrated the groundbreaking of a major solar array project on October 29, 2025. The site, located near the city airport, will cover 165 acres of previously blighted land.

The solar fields, in collaboration with Boston-based Lightstar Renewables, aim to generate enough clean energy to power 127 municipal buildings. At the press event, attended by over fifty people, DTE Energy President and CEO Joi Harris praised the project’s potential impact.

“This project transforms land that has been vacant for a long time,” Harris said. “Our goal is to ensure it benefits the community as a whole.”

Residents from nearby neighborhoods expressed excitement about the changes. Dorothy Gladney, a resident of the Van Dyke/Lynch area for over 40 years, reflected on the deterioration of her community before this development. “I looked around, and houses were falling down,” she said. However, she noted that things are improving with the new project.

Sandra Turner Handy, who lives right next to the site, shared her enthusiasm. “I’m so excited about it, it starts right in the back of my house,” she said. Activating the solar field is expected by summer 2026.

The Van Dyke/Lynch area is one of five neighborhoods targeted for solar parks, including Gratiot Findlay, State Fair, Greenfield Park, and Houston Whittier. Haley Henley, a local resident, explained how the project has helped her with electricity issues in her home.

“I didn’t have power in my kitchen until DTE and the city helped me,” Henley said. “Now, I can stay in my home while this project takes shape.”

In addition to generating approximately 10 megawatts of solar energy, according to Harris, the project will also provide energy efficiency upgrades to homes in the vicinity, helping reduce energy bills.

City officials reported that nearly 250 households have already taken advantage of funding for energy improvements, including roof repairs and insulation.

While the project has met some skepticism due to previous pushback against solar initiatives in Michigan, Duggan assured the community that DTE’s commitment is solid. “What we have seen here is remarkable,” he said, highlighting the speed and effectiveness of the partnership.

Despite some controversies, council members remain optimistic about the project’s potential. Councilman Scott Benson, a long-time advocate for renewable energy, stated, “This isn’t just about cleaning the land; it’s a commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”