We are seeking partners to help us develop cost-effective solar on the Butterworth Landfill, a ~190-acre closed and fully remediated EPA Superfund site located southwest of downtown, directly adjacent to the Grand River on the south and east sides and the John Ball Neighborhood on the north side. Our desired outcome is to successfully deploy solar across Butterworth Landfill, in a way that fully maximizes social, environmental and financial benefits locally that is partially, if not completely, operational in 2026. With this project, we want to supply clean renewable electricity to both the City's primary circuit and other potential partners.
We are excited to invite eligible entities to respond by 5p.m. EST on Friday, December 29, 2023 to a request for information / request for qualifications (RFI/RFQ)(PDF, 2MB) (two additional appendices are available under the additional information area below) to help us develop solar at Butterworth. Eligible entities are limited to those that have had experience installing solar with at least one of the following: at an EPA Superfund site, brownfield and/or closed landfill; serving a locally owned and operated electricity distribution system similar to the City's primary circuit; and in Consumers Energy's electricity territory or, more generally, in the state of Michigan. After all RFI/RFQ responses are reviewed, we will invite select RFI/RFQ respondents to participate in an in-person workshop intended to inform the creation of a request for proposals (RFP). Only respondents to this RFI/RFQ will be eligible to respond to a future Butterworth Solar RFP.
We are working hard to tackle energy as a top priority in our operations. Help us make a difference by joining our forts and see how you too can be smarter with your energy at home or at work. All communication with respect to this RFI/RFQ must be submitted to butterworthsolar@grcity.us. Only information submitted to this email address will be considered for purposes of this RFI/RFQ. The tentative draft schedule, which is subject to change as needed, is:
- Week of Nov. 27: site visit
- Dec. 5 from 1-2pm: virtual Q&A session
- Dec. 11: deadline for questions (5 p.m. EST)
- Dec. 20: all answers to submitted questions posted online
- Dec. 29: RFI/RFQ responses due (5 p.m. EST)
Answers to Submitted RFI/RFQ Questions
Please find a copy of all answered questions submitted by the deadline for the RFI/RFQ along with five supporting exhibits under the "Additional Information" area below.