(DETROIT, MICHIGAN) - One of Detroit’s latest revitalization projects is transforming vacant and blighted areas of land into solar arrays and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 Members are helping to make that happen.

Billions of dollars have been funneled into Detroit’s coffers to fund a number of projects aimed at invigorating the City’s Downtown, but much less attention has been paid to the underserved neighborhoods that are farther from the City’s core.

Now, with the help of Local 58 and its Membership, those overlooked areas are getting a boost in the form of solar arrays.

“This project speaks to Detroit’s commitment to renewable energy and our local Union Workforce,” Local 58 Business Representative Byron Osbern said. “We are partners in a more sustainable initiative for this City.”

The initiative will install nine solar arrays in five neighborhoods, covering a total of 167 acres.

The undertaking is expected to generate 31 megawatts of solar energy, which will be used to power just under 130 municipal buildings, including City Hall, Police and Fire Stations, recreation centers, health clinics and transit centers.

The effort is part of a goal set by the City to power 100% of its municipal buildings with clean energy by 2034.

Local 58 Members will be handling panels, connecting to inverters, grounding and bonding, connecting the solar array to the utility, and installing underground conduit.

The initiative is being done under the Tri-Trade Solar Agreement, under which the IBEW works with the Laborers Union (LIUNA) and the International Union of Operating Engineers to delineate which Union is responsible for different aspects of a solar construction project.

IBEW Signatory Contractor Motor City Electric (MCE) has been chosen for all of the work on the project and is partnering with DTE, the area Utility that employs Members of Detroit Local 17.

Matt Beck, MCE Senior Project Manager, it has 20 to 30 Members working on the arrays so far, and will likely have 40 at the peak.

“Local (58) has a great relationship with DTE,” Beck said. “They knew they could trust us with the work.”

For people living in the designated areas, various forms of compensation have been offered, based on where they live in relation to the sites.

Some homeowners were relocated and given market value for their homes.

Others received $15,000 to $25,000 in energy efficiency upgrades, including roof repairs and upgrades to windows, furnaces and water heaters.

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