DTE Energy completes its third new solar park of 2025, while partnering with communities to drive economic development in local townships

Rhea-AI Summary

DTE Energy has completed construction of its Polaris Solar Park in Gratiot County, Michigan, marking its third new solar park of 2025. The 100-megawatt facility will power over 23,000 homes with clean energy when operational this summer. The project will generate significant tax revenue for local communities and is part of DTE's broader renewable energy expansion. Since 2009, DTE's renewable investments have created approximately 20,000 jobs in Michigan. The company has five additional solar parks under construction, funded through its MIGreenPower program, which has enrolled nearly 100,000 residential and 1,200 business customers. DTE aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions and meet Michigan's 60% renewable energy standard by 2035. The company plans to power about 800,000 homes with clean energy in 2025, scaling to nearly 6 million homes by 2042.

Positive

• New 100-megawatt Polaris Solar Park will power over 23,000 homes with clean energy
• Project will generate significant tax revenue for Gratiot County and local townships
• DTE's renewable investments have created 20,000 jobs in Michigan since 2009
• Strong customer adoption with nearly 100,000 residential and 1,200 business customers enrolled in MIGreenPower program
• Company on track to power 800,000 homes with clean energy in 2025, expanding to 6 million by 2042

Negative

• None.

Insights

Renewable Energy Analyst

DTE's solar expansion strengthens Michigan presence, progressing toward clean energy goals while generating significant local economic benefits.

DTE Energy's completion of the Polaris Solar Park marks a significant milestone in Michigan's renewable energy landscape. This 100-megawatt facility in Gratiot County represents the third solar project completed in 2025, with five additional parks under construction. When operational this summer, it will power approximately 23,000 homes, substantially expanding DTE's clean energy portfolio.

The strategic importance extends beyond environmental benefits. DTE's renewable investments since 2009 have created an estimated 20,000 jobs in Michigan. The Polaris project will generate substantial tax revenue for Gratiot County and local townships, complementing the $42 million in tax revenue already flowing from DTE's three existing wind parks in the county.

This project aligns with DTE's regulatory compliance strategy, supporting progress toward Michigan's 60% renewable energy standard by 2035 and the company's net-zero carbon emissions goal. The expanding voluntary CleanVision MIGreenPower program, with nearly 100,000 residential and 1,200 business customers, is funding five of DTE's new solar parks currently under construction.

By year-end 2025, DTE will generate sufficient renewable energy to power over 800,000 Michigan homes, with plans to increase capacity to power nearly 6 million homes by 2042. This expansion demonstrates DTE's execution capability in the renewable sector while creating significant local economic benefits through tax revenues that support essential community services.

Polaris Solar Park will power more than 23,000 homes with clean, renewable energy and deliver millions in tax revenues

DETROIT, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), Michigan's largest producer of and investor in renewable energy, announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony today that it has completed construction on its Polaris Solar Park. Located in Washington and North Star Townships in Gratiot County, the 100-megawatt solar park will generate enough clean energy to power more than 23,000 homes when it comes online this summer.  

"DTE is committed to growing our portfolio of clean, Michigan-made renewable energy as part of our broader generation mix to support the evolving energy needs of our customers," said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer, DTE Electric. "This continues to be the most active period of renewable energy development in DTE's history, which also enables us to partner with local communities to help drive economic development and improve the lives of residents in towns across Michigan." 

Since 2009, DTE's investments in renewable energy have created an estimated 20,000 jobs in Michigan. Polaris Solar will bring Gratiot County, Washington Township and North Star Township significant added tax revenue over the life of the project, which can be used by the local communities and county for roads, first responders, libraries and other vital community services. This is in addition to the $42 million in tax revenue driven by DTE's three existing wind parks in Gratiot County.  

"Polaris Solar is a significant investment in Gratiot County, a project that will benefit police departments, county parks, and local government entities throughout our local communities," said Jim Wheeler, President of Greater Gratiot Development, a non-profit organization that promotes economic activity in Gratiot County. "Where some counties are looking at cutbacks, we haven't had to do that. Here, renewable energy helps improve the overall quality of life for the county and the people who live in it." 

Polaris Solar is DTE's third new solar park connecting to the electric grid in 2025, with five additional parks under construction and funded through DTE's voluntary CleanVision MIGreenPower, Michigan's largest community solar program. Customer enrollments in MIGreenPower are also helping to fuel DTE's progress toward its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions and reaching Michigan's renewable energy standard of 60% by 2035. 

In 2025, DTE will generate enough clean energy from wind and solar projects to power more than 800,000 homes in Michigan and plans to power the equivalent of nearly 6 million homes with renewable energy by 2042. The company's MIGreenPower program has enrolled nearly 100,000 residential and 1,200 business customers. 

About DTE Energy 

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, x.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.   

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SOURCE DTE Energy

FAQ

What is the capacity and impact of DTE Energy's new Polaris Solar Park?

The Polaris Solar Park is a 100-megawatt facility that will power more than 23,000 homes with clean energy when it becomes operational in summer 2025.

How many jobs has DTE's renewable energy investment created in Michigan?

Since 2009, DTE's investments in renewable energy have created an estimated 20,000 jobs in Michigan.

What are DTE Energy's renewable energy goals for 2035?

DTE aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions and reach Michigan's renewable energy standard of 60% by 2035.

How many customers are enrolled in DTE's MIGreenPower program?

DTE's MIGreenPower program has enrolled nearly 100,000 residential customers and 1,200 business customers.

How many homes will DTE power with renewable energy by 2042?

DTE plans to power nearly 6 million homes with renewable energy by 2042.