Aug 24 2010
Ford Motor Company is planning to convert its assembly plant in Wayne Michigan joining with DTE Energy and Xtreme Power, to transform its plant as a major solar power producing system in Michigan.
The company is planning to install a 500 kW solar PV system in collaboration with Detroit Edison to produce and store 2 million Wh of solar energy in its batteries. The company is availing the services of Austin-based Xtreme Power to provide energy storage and power management systems. The company is preparing to use the energy produced in the manufacture of fuel saving small cars. The company is also scheduling to install a solar power lighting system for its Michigan assembly facility at a later date.
Renewable Energy Drive" />Ford Car
The solar installation at the Ford Company is carried on under the proposal of SolarCurrents program, an initiative of Detroit Edison which installs PV systems over the rooftop properties of the clients. The project will receive an investment of $3 million from Detroit Edison's SolarCurrents program, a grant of $2 million from the Michigan Public Service Commission and an investment of around $800,000 from Ford. The solar power system to be installed over the Michigan Assembly plant will offer an annual savings of over $160,000 in energy costs and the project installations will begin during the fag end of the year.
Jennifer Moore, Ford Motor Company’s Corporate News Manager, said that the company is planning to use the generated solar energy in its car manufacturing facility. She added that her company is concerned about energy efficiency in their facilities all over the world and continue to use renewable energy sources. She concluded saying that the company has adapted to usage of renewable energy sources for a long time now.
Ford will install 10 electric vehicle-charging stations supplied by Xtreme Power at Michigan Assembly for electric switcher trucks that carry parts between factories. Moore added that Ford is also probing whether car batteries can have a second life as storage units and, the automaker is trying to minimize the carbon footprint and make its facilities more energy-efficient.