When you install a solar array on your own home, you’ll be able to use the sun to generate most or perhaps all of your electricity throughout the day, which will make the environment much cleaner. You can transition all of your energy to being renewable by adding some battery storage. If you are unable to accomplish that, you can at least offset your nighttime energy consumption by feeding energy into the grid for your neighbors who lack solar to utilize.
While it may be that easy for a homeowner, other circumstances might be different. You often cannot acquire solar for tenants (at least not in the traditional way). Sometimes a company’s energy needs are so great that there is simply not enough solar capacity to cover everything. For instance, according to what I’ve read, a Walmart store’s energy use is typically close to twice what it can generate on its roof. So, if you find yourself in one of such circumstances, you need to think about your options.
Simply purchasing renewable energy from your local electric company is one extremely simple choice. In most circumstances, this will cost you a little bit more and won’t provide you the same level of energy management as a rooftop installation with storage, but it at least allows you to be sure that your energy is at least partially offset by solar energy someplace else in the grid. This indicates that you aren’t adding to the issue.
THE WAY FORD RESOLVED THIS ANDAMP; WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT Ford, which is likely in a worse predicament than Walmart, cannot just erect a metric crapton of solar panels to cover everything taking place in the factory. But it doesn’t mean it should stop attempting to reduce its carbon footprint and operate more sustainably. And that’s exactly what it has done with a recent agreement with DTE.
Ford Motor Company will soon be able to claim that all of the electricity it uses in Michigan is generated by clean energy, which will be a significant step toward Ford’s goal of becoming carbon neutral. As part of the new arrangement announced today, DTE will increase 650 megawatts of new solar energy capacity in Michigan for Ford by 2025. The buy is the largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in the United States and represents a major investment in Michigan through DTE’s MIGreenPower initiative. According to information acquired by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the arrays will increase the quantity of solar electricity installed in Michigan by almost 70%.
According to Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, this ground-breaking deal is all about a greener and more promising future for Ford and Michigan. Today serves as an illustration of what it means to lead by putting words into deeds.
Since 2009, more than 4,000 Michigan employment have been supported by DTE’s investments in renewable energy. 250 temporary jobs and 10 permanent ones are anticipated to be created during the building of the solar arrays. DTE anticipates that the growth of solar farms will bring in more tax money for the local areas where its projects are located. These funds could be used to support local amenities including roads, schools, libraries, and protection from fire and theft. A 70% increase therefore has significant communal advantages as well.
Jerry Norcia, chairman and CEO of DTE Energy, said, “We want to congratulate Ford Motor Company for its environmental leadership and dedication to renewable energy. In 2019, Ford became the first significant industrial customer to sign up for our MIGreenPower program, and we are grateful for Ford’s continued support of MIGreenPower in helping Ford decarbonize its operations and achieve its sustainability objectives.
One of the largest voluntary renewable energy initiatives in the nation, DTE’s MIGreenPower program, includes Ford’s arrangement. More than 600 businesses and 62,000 household consumers have signed up for the MIGreenPower program as of this writing. 2.8 million megawatt hours of clean energy are used annually by customers of MIGreenPower, saving the environment the equivalent of 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The business expects to build thousands of megawatts of new clean energy projects to support the program. DTE is Michigan’s largest generator of renewable energy.
This transaction was significant enough to attract the governor of Michigan as well.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer commended DTE Energy and Ford Motor Company for taking this important step to boost our state’s solar energy production and establish Michigan as a pioneer in climate action. With initiatives like these, Michigan experienced the best job growth for the energy industry in the nation last year, advancing our state’s decarbonization objectives, generating high-paying jobs, and boosting our economy. As stated in our state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, we must act right away to cut greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change in order to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. By preserving clean air and water for future generations while expanding on our automotive tradition, actions like this partnership between Ford and DTE are assisting in the advancement of our entire state.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT According to the Ford Motor Company, it produces more automobiles in the US than any other carmaker and was one of the first American automakers to join the international community in limiting emissions as part of the Paris Agreement. This makes it the largest vehicle producer in the country. So, just getting the majority of its energy demands from solar will be a great thing. But the story doesn’t end there.
This will have a significant impact on Michigan’s renewable energy scene, as we noted above. The state’s solar energy will increase by 70% thanks to this transaction, which is the largest of its kind ever made. Additionally, it boosts funding for crucial state services like public safety and education. Therefore, it has several secondary effects in addition to the environmental ones.
More importantly, it might inspire other major industrial firms to take the same course and develop, install, or buy their own renewable energy. The benefits could be far greater if we can persuade more businesses to follow our lead.
Jim Farley, the president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, speaks at an event on August 10, 2022 at the Michigan Assembly Plant Modification Center in Wayne, Michigan, to mark a deal with DTE Energy that will see Ford add 650 megawatts of new solar energy capacity in Michigan by 2025. Ford contributed the picture.
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