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DTE, Consumers poised to propose community solar projects next year Crains Detroit Business,  By Jay Greene, 14 Dec 14 Consumers Energy Co. and DTE
Energy Co. are expected to propose new community solar projects starting in 2015, although officials for the two largest utilities in Michigan say they can’t yet be precise on the amount of renewable energy they will generate.In a filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission in late November, Jackson-based Consumers Energy said it intends to submit an amended renewable-energy plan to the commission by Jan. 23. The filing proposes up to 10 megawatts over three years through unspecified community solar pilot projects.

Detroit-based DTE, which had its two-year renewable-energy plan approved last December, is also expected to submit a community solar plan in 2015, following a commission-ordered solar work group report.

This year, DTE has been studying how to add large-scale community solar to its blend of renewable-energy projects. Depending on customer demand, DTE could add more than 22 megawatts of energy in community solar projects over the next few years, said David Harwood, DTE’s director of renewable energy.

Earlier this year, the commission work group report said DTE and Consumers easily could double their collective 28-megawatt solar power customer programs by at least 50 megawatts over the next 18 months.

The work group suggested DTE and Consumers could do so by expanding their customer-owned solar projects and add community solar for customers unable to participate in rooftop solar.

A community solar program, an alternative to rooftop solar panel systems, allows customers, investors and utilities — or a combination — to build large solar panel arrays on neutral sites to share power generation and cost savings. ………….

A new report indicates solar power continues strong growth this year, with a 41 percent increase to 1,354 megawatts of installed solar power in the third quarter, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association‘s U.S. Solar Market Insight Report. With costs dropping, solar now represents 36 percent of new power capacity, with the bulk provided by utility-owned projects………..

This year, several energy bills have been introduced in the state Legislature — including House Bill 5968, which would require utilities to provide 19 percent of total electric power through renewable energy by 2022. The bipartisan bill also would require utilities to add 4.5 percent higher renewable energy than the previous three-year period.The bills, proposed by Reps. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet; John Kivela, D-Marquette; and Frank Foster, R-Petoskey, appears to reflect Gov. Rick Snyder’s energy policy. In previous statements, Snyder has said he might favor requiring utilities to produce 20 percent of their total power through renewables over a 10-year period.

Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325, jgreene@crain.com. Twitter: @jaybgreene