June 29, 2026
The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan has completed construction on its largest solar project to date, city officials say, with a new solar power plant at Steere Farm Wells.
Located on the south side of the city, the 480 kWac solar project is part of Ann Arbor’s citywide initiative to fully power all municipal operations with some form of renewable energy. Steere Farm is among the city’s top 10 electricity users, according to officials, because it pumps water uphill to the water treatment plant, which the city in turn uses to keep the water moving and clean.
“There were a lot of moving pieces,” said Simi Barr, the city’s senior analyst for municipal operations Office for Sustainability and Innovations (OSI). “It took collaboration among many city staff and departments, along with outside consultants and contractors to ensure we designed a system that would serve its intended purpose without compromising the city’s critical water infrastructure.”
The new installation is the latest in a long line for the city of Ann Arbor, representatives say, and comes after months of internal collaboration. The OSI partnered with both Ann Arbor Water and the City of Ann Arbor Information Technology Department for the installation, and also funded the project in accordance with the City’s requirements. ‘A2ZERO’ carbon neutrality programme.
Slow but sure decarbonization
The city of Ann Arbor has lofty goals for the end of the decade, as outlined in the A2ZERO laws. The city says it wants to see a “just and equitable transition to carbon neutrality” by 2030, or at least associated plans for such a transition. The Steere Farm Wells solar project was just one piece of the real puzzle, officials say.
“In 2025, solar panels went online at two more city facilities, solar carports were installed at Veterans Memorial Park, an electric pursuit vehicle was added to the Ann Arbor Police Department department fleet, four all-electric garbage trucks have begun collection and several other actions have been taken to reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” the city says. “There is more to come in 2026, including the installation of at least three additional solar panels, further electrification of the city’s fleet and the opening of Ann Arbor’s first net-zero fire station.”
In addition to its energy initiatives, the city of Ann Arbor has also adopted a “circular economy” program and other environmentally friendly innovations. The city is also accelerating solar permitting for most residential projects, according to municipal officials.
Tags: commercial and industrial, Michigan, project, sustainability
