DTE Sauk Solar Project: Gentie and POI Substation Construction

Motor City Electric Utilities (MCEU) played a pivotal role in the successful completion of DTE Energy’s largest solar park project to date, the Sauk Solar project located in Branch County, Michigan. This project features approximately 347,000 solar panels, generating enough clean energy to power approximately 40,000 homes.

During construction, Barton Malow, as the General Contractor, contracted MCEU to procure materials and install approximately 2 miles of 138kV generation tie line rated to operate at 150MW, and to construct DTE Energy’s Point of Interconnection (POI) substation from the ground up.

Generation Tie Line:

• Designed to utilize single 795 kcmil ACSR “Drake” conductor supported by wood and steel poles or three-pole structures.
• Included a shield wire and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for communication and protection.

Substation:

• Consisted of one main power transformer, three 34.5kV feeder breakers, and one capacitor bank.
• Included a complete electrical control house with relay panels built and assembled by Motor City Electric.
• Stepped up the project voltage to 138kV, connecting to the Sauk Transmission Line.

MCEU delivered on time and on budget, achieving successful energization and interconnection for this project.