Detroit ‘Solar Neighborhoods’ are Transforming Blighted Lots Into Renewable Energy Hubs

Detroit is starting work on five ‘solar neighborhoods,’ vacant sites that will be repurposed with solar energy installations. 

As an article in Smart Cities World explains, “The land being used for the five solar fields had been a mix of vacant land and scattered mostly vacant homes, which the city has since removed. Many areas became frequent trouble spots of illegal dumping and other illegal activity. In their place will be an attractive, well-maintained and secure solar array.”

The project is designed to make use of blighted spaces, reduce the city’s carbon footprint, and improve its climate resiliency. The solar arrays will be surrounded with trees and landscaping. “Owner-occupied homes in each Solar Neighbourhood outside of the solar arrays were eligible to receive between $15,000 and $25,000 per house for energy efficiency upgrades with the help of DTE – the amount depending on how many acres of solar their neighbourhood generates.”