Eco Factor: Ford to install 500 kW solar photovoltaic panel systems at its Michigan assembly plant.
Ford, Detroit Edison and Xtreme Power have joined hands to establish Michigan’s largest solar power generation and electric vehicle charging station at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. Ford will install a 500 kW solar photovoltaic panel system which will be integrated with a 750 kW energy storage facility that can store 2 million watt hours of energy using batteries.
The renewable energy generated will also be used to power the production of smart cars such as Ford’s all new Focus Electric in 2011 as well as next generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Ford also plans to install 10 electric vehicle charging stations to power the trucks that move parts around within the plant premises. It has been projected that the solar power system will save Ford about $160,000 per year in energy costs.
Via: AutoblogGreen
