A former Ypsilanti landfill could see new life as a solar array, if supporters of solar energy have their way.
A petition at
Solar Ypsi's website is gathering support to build a solar array on several acres on what was a city-owned landfill, along I-94 near Huron Street. Dave Strenski, founder of Solar Ypsi and solar energy proponent, explained that several years ago, DTE Energy put out a request for proposals looking for places that would be good fits for solar arrays. Through his solar energy contacts, a proposal for Ypsilanti was put together and submitted.
A friend helped create an
online petition in support of the solar array, which has gathered nearly 800 supporters. "Hopefully this tells DTE that this is a safe place to put solar panels, that it’s supported here," he says.
Strenski says although there may be concerns about that property being on a landfill, the solar array design would sit on concrete blocks and not penetrate the ground. "Old landfills are a perfect location for a solar array making use of land that would otherwise sit idle forever," the petition says. "A ballasted solar rack design has no ground penetrations and poses little to no risk of disturbing the landfill’s contents."
Projects such as solar arrays are one component of a larger plan to make Ypsilanti a solar destination, Strenski says, as well as developing what has been an unused, undevelopable property. And that's not to mention the eventual cost savings and job creation that will come with creating that new energy source.
"I'm convinced that solar power is the future," he says. "I think this would give Ypsilanti a very positive image, that we’re on the leading edge."
Source: Dave Strenski, founder of Solar Ypsi
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
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