A decision about a project to develop a former Ypsilanti landfill into a $4 million solar array site that would produce alternative energy for DTE Energy, will happen before the end of March.
DTE Energy representative Scott Simons said no decision has been made yet, but he expects one to be made "shortly" and by the end of the month.
The solar array would encompass 4.5 acres of the 7-acre property.
Courtesy City of Ypsilanti
More information was not immediately available from DTE officials.
If approved, the site would produce alternative energy for DTE Energy and cover about 4.5 acres of the 7-acre property near Spring Street and just north of the westbound Interstate 94 Huron Street exit.
City officials originally expected to be notified of the project by mid-January, but the notification was pushed back.
The timeline originally stated DTE would notify its "short list" of possible sites by Jan. 18. and would decide soon after. The targeted construction and completion date is Dec. 31, 2013.
Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber said the city is still optimistic it will be one of the chosen projects. Schreiber said he was told a few weeks ago that the city was still in the running to be selected.
"A recent study said the Ypsilanti has a percentage more solar energy being created per capita than Ann Arbor," Schreiber said.
The city received and approved a letter of intent from SunDurance Energy, a company that develops and designs megawatt-scale solar power solutions for commercial, industrial, federal government and utility-scale markets.
The company is seeking to install a 1.3 megawatt solar array on the site. The city would lease the property to the company for $9,778 per acre, or $44,000 a year. A one-time construction payment of $20,000 must be made within 30 days of the execution of the lease.
If this project is chosen by DTE, the company will build it and turn it over to DTE, who would then own the equipment. The project would require a 20-year lease between the city and DTE with the potential to extend for 10 or more additional years.
All of the energy generated at the site would go onto the DTE grid for wide use by its customers.
Schreiber said the project would further Ypsilanti's goal of being an energy conscious city, citing the $250,000 solar energy project the Corner Brewery completed and the installation of panels on city hall.
"A lot of people are interested in this," Schreiber said. "It certainly would be another step in making Ypsilanti a leader in solar energy."
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.