DTE Energy Marks Major Milestone with Completion of Pine River Solar Park, Strengthening Michigan’s Renewable Energy Future
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), Michigan’s largest producer and investor in renewable energy, has reached a significant milestone with the official completion of its Pine River Solar Park. The announcement was made during a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site, located in the heart of mid-Michigan’s Pine River Township. This achievement is another clear indicator of DTE’s accelerating efforts to lead Michigan toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
The newly completed Pine River Solar Park is a substantial development by any measure. Spanning a broad area, the 80-megawatt project features more than 180,000 high-efficiency solar panels strategically positioned to maximize energy output. Collectively, these panels are capable of generating enough clean, renewable electricity to meet the energy needs of nearly 20,000 homes annually, significantly reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the state’s growing clean energy portfolio.
Pine River Solar Park represents the second of three new solar parks DTE is connecting to Michigan’s electric grid in 2025. Along with Pine River, DTE currently has five additional solar parks actively under construction, all designed to meet the surging demand for renewable energy among Michigan residents and businesses. These projects are primarily funded through DTE’s voluntary CleanVision MIGreenPower program — a groundbreaking initiative that has quickly grown to become Michigan’s largest community solar offering.
The MIGreenPower program allows DTE customers to attribute a greater portion of their energy use to renewable sources without needing to install their own solar panels. By participating, customers directly support the construction of new wind and solar projects across the state, helping to speed up Michigan’s transition away from fossil fuels.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for DTE and for renewable energy development in Michigan,” said Matt Paul, President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Electric, during the event. “The completion of Pine River Solar marks another important milestone during what has been the most active period of renewable energy expansion in our company’s history. It stands as proof of DTE’s leadership as Michigan’s largest investor and operator of renewable energy. It also highlights our commitment to enhancing economic growth and improving quality of life in the communities where we operate, through new tax revenues that support vital local services.”
DTE’s record of investment in clean energy infrastructure is already substantial and growing. Since 2009, the company’s renewable energy initiatives have created an estimated 20,000 jobs across Michigan, providing significant economic stimulus in both rural and urban communities. Moreover, the construction and operation of solar parks like Pine River generate new streams of local tax revenue. Over the life of the Pine River Solar project, Gratiot County and Pine River Township are expected to receive considerable financial benefits. These additional funds can be allocated to improving critical infrastructure such as roads and schools, bolstering services like fire protection and emergency response, and supporting community development initiatives.
Local officials have expressed strong support and appreciation for DTE’s approach to community partnership. Kevin Beeson, Pine River Township Supervisor, praised the collaborative relationship that has developed between the township and DTE. “We are very pleased with how our partnership with DTE has evolved over the years,” Beeson said. “Our relationship began with the successful development of the Pine River Wind project back in 2019, and when DTE approached us more recently with their solar expansion plans, we were confident that the outcome would be positive for everyone involved.
Throughout the planning, construction, and startup phases of Pine River Solar, DTE consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen to resident feedback and accommodate township requirements. Their approach helped ensure a smooth process and a result we can all be proud of. Pine River Solar further establishes DTE as our community’s largest taxpayer, and we look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship.”
As part of its broader clean energy strategy, DTE already operates enough wind and solar capacity to power more than 750,000 homes across Michigan. This capacity will continue to expand dramatically in the coming years. By 2042, DTE aims to generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of nearly 6 million homes — an ambitious but achievable target that aligns with Michigan’s newly adopted renewable energy standard, which requires 60% of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2035.
DTE’s CleanVision MIGreenPower program has proven instrumental in driving demand for renewable energy in the state. Since its inception, the program has enrolled nearly 100,000 residential customers and approximately 1,600 business customers, including some of Michigan’s most recognizable corporations. With more than 2,400 megawatts of new wind and solar capacity slated to be added over the next decade, DTE is ensuring that future enrollments will be supported by a robust and expanding clean energy infrastructure.
This wave of development not only strengthens Michigan’s energy independence but also supports the fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state. In addition, these investments provide a reliable, low-cost source of energy for future generations, while creating new career opportunities in the clean energy sector — from construction and engineering to maintenance and environmental management.
Looking ahead, DTE remains committed to delivering on its vision of a net zero carbon future. This means not only investing in more renewable energy projects but also enhancing energy storage technologies, modernizing the grid, and creating new opportunities for customer engagement in sustainability efforts.
“The path to a cleaner, brighter future for Michigan runs through projects like Pine River Solar,” Matt Paul added. “This is about more than just generating electricity — it’s about building stronger communities, creating jobs, improving the environment, and making sure we leave the world better for the next generation.”
As Pine River Solar officially joins Michigan’s grid, DTE Energy’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. Each new solar park represents another step toward a future where clean, affordable, and reliable energy is the norm, not the exception.
In the years to come, Michigan residents can expect to see even more solar panels sparkling under the sun across the state’s farmlands and open spaces — tangible symbols of a renewable energy revolution that DTE Energy is proud to lead.
