DTE Energy Launches Sauk Solar Advancing Michigan’s Clean Energy Goals

DTE Energy Michigan’s leading producer and investor in renewable energy, has announced the successful launch of its largest solar park, Sauk Solar. Located in Branch County, central Michigan, this 150-megawatt facility features nearly 347,000 solar panels and generates enough clean energy to power around 40,000 homes.

Sauk Solar is over three times larger than DTE’s second-largest solar park in Lapeer. It marks the first of six new solar parks to come online as part of DTE’s commitment to expanding renewable energy projects through its CleanVision MIGreenPower program. Funded by customers voluntarily enrolled in MIGreenPower, these solar parks are a crucial step toward achieving the company’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions and meeting Michigan’s new renewable energy standard of 60% by 2035. “As our largest solar park yet, Sauk Solar is a major accomplishment for DTE and all the teams that made it happen – but it’s also the first in a series of new solar developments that will have a major impact on the state of Michigan as a whole,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer, DTE Electric. “Building out these parks is not only a critical step in ending our use of coal by 2032, but it will also help us meet our sustainability goals and deliver the clean, Michigan-made renewable energy our customers want. We thank the leaders and residents of Union Township, Branch County and Union City for helping make the new park a reality, so together we can strengthen local economies and build a cleaner energy future for generations to come.”

“DTE has been a great partner to work with,” said Bud Norman, Branch County administrator and controller. “It’s been exciting to collaborate with DTE on this knowing we’re not only creating a cleaner world for our kids and grandkids, but also bringing real, lasting change to our local economy.”