GM Transmission Plant to Add Solar Array

General Motors Co. is teaming up with Detroit-based DTE Energy Co. to install a solar array at its transmission plant in Warren, Mich. Power generated from the system will be fed into DTE’s grid rather than supplying electricity directly to the facility.

The 800-kW system is expected to generate about 1 million kWh of electricity per year when it is completed next spring. This is equivalent to the average annual energy consumption of 135 homes in southeast Michigan, according to the partners.

The network will include 2,800 solar panels located on 4.25 acres of land. DTE will own the array and lease the land from GM.

GM says the project will help the company surpass its goal to generate 125 megawatts of clean power by 2020. It currently generates 46 megawatts of solar power at 19 facilities worldwide.

Detroit-based DTE now has 11 megawatts of solar power in place in Michigan, including a 1-megawatt array at Ford Motor Co.’s headquarters in Dearborn. The utility’s goal is to generate 10% of its energy from renewable sources this year.