About the Initiative
Mayor Duggan's Neighborhood Solar Initiative aims to repurpose mostly vacant lots in Detroit neighborhoods into sites of clean energy production.
While some areas have vacant homes, there are still occupied residences within the designated sites. The goal is to select neighborhood sites totaling 250 acres of neighborhood land needed to offset municipal solar.
The project is part of Detroit's broader sustainability goals, targeting a 100% offset of municipal energy usage with renewable sources. The solar arrays will generate 33 megawatts of solar energy (21 in phase 1), significantly contributing to the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal buildings. Once connected to the electrical grid, these solar arrays will begin to offset the electricity required to operate 127 city buildings, including City Hall, police and fire stations, and recreation centers.
On June 24, 2024, Mayor Duggan announced the first three finalist neighborhoods selected to host solar arrays: • Gratiot Findlay • Van Dyke/Lynch • State Fair Lightstar was selected as the developer for the Gratiot Findlay and State Fair neighborhoods through a City-run competitive RFP process.
For this project, Lightstar has partnered with a team of Detroit-headquartered and Detroit-based businesses, including:
Lightstar develops, builds, and owns community solar projects with more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of projects completed or in development in the United States and abroad. Founded in 2019 by a seasoned team of solar developers, our mission is to ensure solar is a benefit for all – people, places, and the planet. We are focused on leading in community solar development that is built with ecology and agricultural needs at the forefront, which in our mind is a key next phase of the clean energy transition.
JIMA (jee-mah) Studio is a landscape architectural design and urban planning studio that collaborates with community groups, organizations and builders committed to culturally relevant placemaking and strategic implementation. We centralize participatory design methods to provide full site design and planning services, from idea to implementation.
JIMA stems from the Kwanzaa principle Ujima (ooh-jee-mah), which means “collective work and responsibility.” It is the ethos of this studio to work collaboratively with other changemakers and use design as a vehicle toward accountability in placemaking, placekeeping, and land stewardship.
Elevate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works nationally to create a just and equitable world in which everyone has clean and affordable heat, cooling, power, and water in their homes and communities — prioritizing frontline communities. Our programs, policy agenda, and partners reflect this commitment.
Making the benefits and services of the clean energy economy accessible to everyone is how we fight climate change while supporting equity. We design and implement programs that reduce costs, protect people and the environment, and ensure the benefits of clean and efficient energy use reach those who need them most.
We want to work with everyone we can to help them reduce their energy costs and improve their quality of life — from homeowners, renters, and building owners, to nonprofit organizations, utilities, and municipalities. Our team builds strong connections in the places we work and delivers high-quality programs and services that contribute to healthy, thriving communities.
Mannik Smith Group offers a full array of consulting services for both the public and private sectors including, Civil/Structural Design and Permitting, Construction Engineering, Cultural Resources, Environmental, Geotechnical, Landscape Architecture, Planning/Funding Strategies/Grant Writing, Program Management and Surveying.
Our in-house professionals are highly efficient in project management, team leadership and decision-making. These fundamental skills ensure projects remain on a positive track and help build client relationships.
