Ann Arbor completes 480 kW solar array at Steere Farm Wells to power water infrastructure under A2ZERO carbon neutrality plan

Ann Arbor, Michigan has finished construction on its largest municipal solar project, a 480 kWac array at the Steere Farm Wells site. The solar plant powers pumps that move water uphill to the city's Water Treatment Facility, one of the top 10 electricity users in the city. The project is part of the A2ZERO program, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2030. The city's Office of Sustainability and Innovations worked with the water department and IT team to design the system without disrupting critical water infrastructure. In 2025, Ann Arbor also added solar arrays at two other facilities, solar carports at a park, and electric vehicles including refuse trucks. Planned for 2026 are three more solar arrays, further fleet electrification, and the city's first net-zero fire station. The Steere Farm project shows how municipalities can pair renewable energy with essential services like water treatment. It also highlights the slow but steady progress of local climate plans, where each installation builds toward a larger decarbonization goal.