Ypsilanti City Hall solar project done, co-op next in line

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

The solar panels are up on the back of Ypsilanti's City Hall, the wires are connected and now all the project needs to begin generating electricity is finished paperwork.

The grassroots group of solar-power activists behind the project are just waiting for officials from the city and DTE Energy to sign off on the last of the paperwork this month before flipping the switch. The panels are expected to be working and the group's website tracking how much electricity is generated by the end of February.

"I need one more piece," says Dave Strenski, a volunteer with the Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project.

A $36,000 grant and some local fundraising/volunteer efforts were key to making the 12 solar panels a reality. The group of volunteers is now training its focus on expanding the number of solar panels on the roof of the bakery for Ypsilanti Food Co-op.

That project is expected to begin this spring and wrap up later in the year. The electricity generation from the existing panels is also expected to increase because of the recent installation of a white roof that will reflect more light onto the panels.

Source: Dave Strenski, volunteer with the Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project
Writer: Jon Zemke