:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/Southside-Blooms-112122-02-2000-d1f69e9f90984143a051db238f9a9bcc.jpg "A Detroit plan could turn vacant lots into solar farms to power city buildings")
(CBS DETROIT) - The city of Detroit is turning to solar energy to power the city's public buildings. Neighborhoods can become sites for solar gardens.
“The first part of my presentation was to convince you that climate change is real. But if you went through the smoke tonight, you might not need that much convincing,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Wednesday night during the 3rd District charter community. - mandatory meeting.
Duggan says solar is as affordable as coal with federal solar tax credits. The city currently pays DTE $9 million a year to power municipal buildings.
"What if we could spend $9 million a year on these buildings with solar energy," Dugan said.
The city will take bids to determine the exact price, but Duggan hopes solar will be cost competitive. He said they could set up a solar farm on 250 acres in rural Michigan. But you can also build one in Detroit, in a neighborhood with vacant lots, illegal dumps, or ruins.
"I want each community to decide for itself. "Is this good for us?"
Neighborhood associations and block associations can apply as solar park sites. If there are no neighborhood associations in the neighborhood, groups of five neighbors can also be registered. The applicant pool must be located within 2,000 feet of the proposed solar facility in the neighborhood.
If residents must move out to make way for the solar farm, the city will pay tenants free rent for 18 months while they move to nearby comparable housing. The city pays tenants and leaseholders fair market value for vacant land, and tenants pay double fair market value.
The candidate group must have significant support from residents and have between 10 and 50 hectares to work with. Groups can also connect with solar experts or nonprofits to help them plan.
For each acre of solar farms, the district receives $25,000, which can benefit the community. The money can be used for parks, residential solar power, home renovations, and more.
Duggan says if the district is interested, they could build a 250-acre solar farm in Detroit. If no one is interested, they'll build it in rural Michigan.
Groups interested in creating a solar park can register from July 1. The application deadline is October 2. Fill out this form to show your interest and arrange a tutoring session.
