Small businesses across the country spend more than $60 billion a year on energy, including electricity, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s a lot of money spent on keeping the lights on, and big businesses spend even more. While it’s a drain on all property owners, it’s particularly hard on businesses that use a ton of energy, such as manufacturing, cold storage, and data processing. With DTE calling for yet another rate increase, Michigan business owners of all kinds could be facing a total electricity cost increase of 25% by 2036. How can you avoid losing all of your profits to rising energy costs? One crucial step could involve investing in your own power generation systems.
DTE Energy serves over 2 million customers across Michigan with both electric and natural gas services, but it’s their electrical utilities in particular that continue to trouble business owners in the state. DTE rates have risen multiple times over the last few years, and now the company is requesting a further $574.1 million rate increase from state regulators. That’s the second-highest request that the company has made since its founding in 1996 and the fourth rate hike in the last five years alone. Over the next 10 years, some fear that further rate increases will bring DTE electric bills up to 25% higher than they are today.
The company is already facing criticisms from both residential and commercial customers who are tired of paying more while experiencing increasing instability and frequent cut-offs from the grid. However, DTE Energy counters that the rate increases are necessary to help fund investments in grid improvements and further transitions to reliance on renewable power sources. Critics claim the company is abusing the regulatory process, while DTE insists that they simply can’t afford to make the essential transmission line and power generation upgrades needed to keep customers happy. The commercial sector in Michigan is also using 2.6% more electricity than it previously did, further compounding calls for increasing rates.
Either way, Michigan business owners are left paying high electric bills. If you’re one of the many asking, “How can I lower my DTE energy bill?” you’re not alone. While doing your best to minimize unnecessary power usage throughout your operations is a good start, it won’t do much to stop DTE Energy’s rates from going up over time. Switching to solar power is one of your only options for making a break from rising utility company charges and taking the cost into your own hands.
There are a few strategies you can apply to reduce your electrical costs and other energy expenditures. However, only some of them may work for your business based on its operations and real estate. In the long run, going solar will work for almost any kind of commercial energy demand.
DTE offers basic energy audits for businesses across Michigan, but these audits only provide limited long-term benefits. Instead, we recommend working with an independent contractor like Solar Micro Grid Systems to schedule a comprehensive energy audit. During your audit, our Solar Advisors will review your energy usage from the past several months to understand your consumption patterns, peak usage times, and any seasonal variations, provide a list of upgrades and improvements that help boost energy independence, and walk you through available incentives, tax credits, and other opportunities that can deliver real savings from day one.
Businesses of all sizes are notorious for letting equipment stay plugged in or even running when it’s not actively in use. Identify which equipment in your office, manufacturing facility, or retail environment can be switched off to draw less power. While some equipment may need to stay in standby mode, there are certainly opportunities to save with lights that shut off when no one’s in the room or cooling that shuts off when the business is closed.
Speaking of being closed, consider how much lighting, heating, and cooling you run during non-business hours. Many retail environments stay as brightly lit and comfortable as when customers are present, even if no one is cleaning or restocking at the time. Using automated timers to lower lights and reduce HVAC services can add up to serious savings over time. For the manufacturing industry, look into standby and low-energy modes for equipment that can’t be physically disconnected from a power source.
If you’re considering major investments like insulation or all-new HVAC equipment to save a little on energy costs, turn your attention to solar power generation instead. Putting in enough solar equipment to produce even part of your company’s total energy needs directly lowers your monthly electrical bills from DTE. No matter how much it raises its rates, it won’t affect you if you’re generating electricity on your own. Today’s solar power systems are much more adaptable than in the past, making them reliable enough for even the most demanding commercial installations.
Yes! Michigan businesses have it easier than ever before when they decide to go solar. There are numerous financial incentives and financing opportunities to help reduce the costs of installation. Even non-commercial property owners can take advantage of tax incentives and more. With minimal upfront investments and little ongoing maintenance, solar power systems make sense for businesses of all sizes across the state, especially as DTE continues to raise its rates. Companies like Solar Micro Grid Systems take all the hard work out of designing and installing a solar system that can provide the power needed for a thriving business, even if you’re in the manufacturing industry.
Solar Micro Grid Systems is your first stop for commercial power options in Michigan and beyond. Check out how we’ve helped businesses across the state with cutting-edge commercial solar installations that freed them from the stress of wondering when DTE or other state utility companies would raise rates again. Instead of feeling locked in by high electricity rates, break free with our help. Explore our solar savings estimate tool for a better idea of how much you could save, or speak directly with one of our expert Solar Advisors.
Ready to take control of your power? Contact us for more information on our suite of comprehensive solutions and for a free, no-obligation quote. Act now and start saving sooner!
