The following commentary was written by Caitlin Marquis, Policy Director at Advanced Energy Economy, and Laura Sherman, President of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. See our commentary guidelines for more information.
One of the biggest renewable energy deals to date came last week when Ford announced it was subscribing to 650 MW of renewable energy from DTE through its MIGreenPower program. The purchase will help Ford lower its carbon footprint, but it is not just the company who benefits. The deal will add new solar power facilities that make the electricity used in the state cleaner—650 MW of new solar would represent a 70% increase in the amount of solar capacity installed in the state, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association. It also makes energy more affordable, due to the low costs…