Ford to Use Solar Power

American manufacturer Ford announced last week it will build, together with Detroit Edison and Xtreme Power, one of the largest solar power generation systems Michigan. To serve the Michigan Assembly Plant, the solar power station will be capable of developing 500-kilowatt of solar electricity.

The system will be used in conjunction with a 750-kw energy storage facility with a caqpacity to storee two million watt-hours of energy using batteries. That´s enough to power 100 average Michigan homes for a year.

“With this solar energy system, we will be able to gain vital understanding about the integration of renewable power, smart-grid technologies and energy storage at an industrial facility,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford North America Manufacturing vice president said.

“This project is a part of the transformation of Michigan Assembly from a large SUV factory to a modern, flexible, and sustainable small car plant.”

The energy generated by the solar power station will not only be used to power the facility alone. It will also be used to power 10 electric vehicle-charging stations at the facility. When the plant is not in use, the energy generated will be stored for use when there´s not enough sunlight.

For Detroit Edison, the new station is just another step towards making the SolarCurrents program a reality. The program aims to be able to provide 15 megawatts of electricity throughout Southeast Michigan within the next five years.

“Building solar energy systems on the scale we’re pursuing will increase demand for these technologies, and we’re working with the governor’s office and various economic development organizations to attract renewable energy manufacturers and green jobs to Michigan,” added Trevor Lauer, Detroit Edison Marketing & Renewables vice president.