Jul 20 2010
Detroit Edison, a Southeastern Michigan-based private electric utility company, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a not for profit corporation, has signed a 20 year accord that will supply BCBSM and other utility customers solar power.
Detroit Edison is planning to install a 200 kW PV system, which costs around $1 million over the roof top of the four-story parking structure covering an area of 31,000 sq.ft owned by BCBSM, will be commissioned by next spring.
The planned BCBSM PV system is expected to generate enough power to meet the annual power requirement of 40 houses, and meeting 20% power requirements of its Lafayette Campus by utilizing the power supply.
Earlier during 2006 BCBSM had set up a green roof over another parking construction located at Congress and I-375.which received the LEED certification for its eco friendly design and rain water recycling efforts.
The current initiative of Detroit Edison is considered to be a pilot project for its planned SolarCurrents program to install PV systems over the roof tops of the clients or other properties during the next five years to produce 15 MW of electricity. The company has designs to invest around $100 in the SolarCurrents program and is looking forward for customer’s participation for 20 years. Detroit Edison is planning to own, install, operate and maintain the solar systems and in return, is proposing to offer the clients such as BCBSM a yearly credit in their energy bill and an additional one time payment to compensate the hassle during the installation of the equipment.
Detroit Edison is planning to invest around $2 billion during the impending years and looking forward to augment 1,200 MW of renewable energy power. The company also has plans to construct or acquire wind energy generation farms and other green energy installations in the upcoming years.
Source: http://www.dteenergy.com