Soulardarity aims to make Highland Park 100% energy independent

An advocate says energy should be placed in the hands of the people, just as it is meant to be with our politics.  

Not everyone is waiting for the government or a corporation to solve our collective climate problems. Some are working with their neighbors and community members to change our grid and spread green technology.

Highland Park is ground zero in Michigan for much of this work. After DTE removed its lights in the city, local residents came together to find a solution.

With the group Soulardarity, the city has been installing solar-powered street lights with Wi-Fi generating capacity. But their work is far from over.

“We’re really excited to turn our attention toward a mass-install program that’s really going to help us install at least 20 more lights.” — De’Angelus Garcia, Soulardarity


Listen: What some Michigan locals are doing to create a more energy efficient, connected community.

 


Guest

De’Angelus Garcia is the communications strategist with Soulardarity. The group has installed 17 street lights with solar power and hopes to democratize energy, says Garcia.

“Now we’re really excited to turn our attention toward a mass-install program that’s really going to help us install at least 20 more lights over the next year,” says Garcia, “so that we can start to explore ways to not only bring, or replace, those solar-powered street lights but to also help Highland Park become 100% energy independent.”

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

Author

  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.