AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai's rooftop solar-panel system at its Asan factory

Hyundai's green-cred future's so bright, its factory roof's gotta wear shades. The South Korean automaker will install that country's largest solar-panel system when it deploys about 40,000 solar voltaic panels on the roof of its Asan plant later this year.

The system will cover about 2.2 million square feet, or about 50 acres, of rooftop and will supply 11.5 million kilowatt hours, or the equivalent the power consumed by about 3,200 households. Hyundai makes the Sonata Hybrid at the plant, further bolstering the car's treehugging credentials.

Hyundai says the solar system will eliminate about 5,600 tons worth of CO2 emissions. Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) will purchase the electricity and redistribute it throughout the factory. Check out Hyundai's press release below.

Continue reading Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest

Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 May 2013 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asanfactoryhyundaihyundai sonata hybridsolarSat, 11 May 2013 09:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564994/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564994/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/20564994/article-detail.xml 20564994 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundairoof_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundairoof.jpg <![CDATA[Lansing, MI installs solar EV charging station good for 300,000 emission-free miles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/lansing-mi-installs-solar-ev-charger-300000-miles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/lansing-mi-installs-solar-ev-charger-300000-miles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/lansing-mi-installs-solar-ev-charger-300000-miles/#commentsFiled under: ,



The city of Lansing, MI, will reduce emissions and save money on its electric bill by going solar. Lansing celebrated Earth Day with the installation of a five-kilowatt solar carport, called "Energy Parking," supplied by Italian company Giulio Barbieri S.p.A. and its Canadian partner renewz sustainable solutions inc.

The installation of the solar charging station at the riverside City Market will generate enough renewable energy to recharge the plug-in vehicle fleet of the Lansing Board of Water & Light, the municipal utility that provides electricity and water to the residents of Lansing. It's projected to reducing Lansing's greenhouse gas emissions by more than 115 tons and power about 300,000 miles of clean driving over the next 25 years.

The EV charging station was developed by renewz with chargers by Eaton and solar panels by SILFAB Americas; LED lighting and highly visible side and top banners were also installed. The modular aluminum structure was designed with Michigan weather in mind. The structure is 100 percent waterproof and fully wind, snow and seismic code compliant.

Giulio Barbieri, founder of his company based in Ferrara, Italy, thinks the Lansing installation places his company in a strong position to serve the growing renewable energy market in the US. Sass Peress, CEO of renewz, says the solar canopy was built in the city that will soon assemble the Cadillac ELR plug-in hybrid and demonstrates how municipalities can power fleets sustainably.

Lansing's solar chargers might offer a solution to the city of Watertown, NY. City Attorney Robert Slye recently determined that installing charging stations in a municipal parking lot would be unconstitutional. New York state's comptroller issued the same opinion to the city of Ogdensburg, NY. It looks like New York and its municipalities may not allow public charging projects unless users can be charged for the electricity. Perhaps creating free electricity from solar power could be a win-win situation for New York?

Continue reading Lansing, MI installs solar EV charging station good for 300,000 emission-free miles

Lansing, MI installs solar EV charging station good for 300,000 emission-free miles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 May 2013 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelectric vehicleslansingplug-in hybridpublic charingrenewable energysolarsolar chargingMon, 06 May 2013 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20556415/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20556415/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/06/lansing-mi-installs-solar-ev-charger-300000-miles/20556415/article-detail.xml 20556415 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/solar-charger-in-lansing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/solar-charger-in-lansing.jpg <![CDATA[BMW offers guilt-free EV charging with Solarwatt; runs EV hackathon this weekend]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/bmw-ev-charging-solarwatt-hackathon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/bmw-ev-charging-solarwatt-hackathon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/bmw-ev-charging-solarwatt-hackathon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Germany-based Solarwatt is partnering with BMW

BMW, which last year struck up an agreement with a Colorado company to facilitate solar-powered charging for its upcoming plug-in vehicles, has done the same with a company from its homeland.

Dresden, Germany-based Solarwatt is working with Bimmer on a partnership for providing solar-panel systems on the home roofs and carports of the i3 and i8 plug-ins. The partnership's 360° ELECTRIC-branded systems make for an "aesthetic solution with innovative glass-glass modules" that efficiently garner sunlight and turn it into vehicle juice, Solarwatt says.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, BMW will team up with ChargePoint and DriveNow this weekend for the Bay Area Sustainability Hackathon to "build apps, mobile apps and hacks to address some of the issues surrounding electric vehicles and EV charging." We're thinking a Dr. Horrible-style app to steal wonderflonium.

BMW's is on track to start selling its i3 battery-electric, the successor to the lease-only ActiveE, later this year, while the i8 plug-in hybrid will start sales in 2014. BMW also unveiled a coupe concept version of the i3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November. Check out Solarwatt's press release below.

BMW and utility company Green Mountain Energy cut a deal last May with Colorado-based Real Goods Solar to provide discounts on solar-energy systems for drivers of BMW's ActiveE battery-electric vehicles. Drivers from California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York were eligible for discounts of up to 35 percent.

Continue reading BMW offers guilt-free EV charging with Solarwatt; runs EV hackathon this weekend

BMW offers guilt-free EV charging with Solarwatt; runs EV hackathon this weekend originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery-electricBMWdresdeni3i8plug-insolarsolarwattSat, 27 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549347/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549347/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/27/bmw-ev-charging-solarwatt-hackathon/20549347/article-detail.xml 20549347 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/solarwatt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/solarwatt.jpg <![CDATA[Bosch turns off light on money-losing solar power unit]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/bosch-closing-money-losing-solar-power-unit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/bosch-closing-money-losing-solar-power-unit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/bosch-closing-money-losing-solar-power-unit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

vw chattanooga solar plant

Major automotive supplier Bosch is stepping out of the solar power business after having lost 2.4 billion euros (nearly $3.1 billion US) since starting up its solar energy subsidiary in 2008.

Bosch will end its solar power panel production early next year, and put parts of this business unit up for sale. Bosch's car parts division created the solar power business after it bought Aleo Solar and Ersol. The solar subsidiary lost 1 billion euros (about $1.28 billion US) last year.

After the German government curbed green energy subsidies and Chinese competitors flooded the market with cheap products, the business climate has been rough for Bosch. Other German solar companies are feeling the pinch - major solar companies SolarWorld and Conergy are in debt restructuring talks and Q-Cells filed for insolvency last year. "This is possibly the most painful experience that I have had to endure in my professional career," said Bosch chairman Franz Fehrenbach in a company statement.

In 2011, Germany produced 25,000 megawatts of electricity through solar power, nearly as much solar energy as was generated in the rest of the world combined.

The German government had been handing out generous subsidies funded by electricity surcharges to encourage consumers to choose renewable energy over nuclear and fossil fuel. Germany changed course on the subsidies in an attempt to bring down overcapacity in the solar industry. In 2011, Germany produced 25,000 megawatts of electricity through solar power, nearly as much solar energy as was generated in the rest of the world combined. During that time, Chinese solar companies flooded global markets with cheap solar panels. The European Commission launched a dumping investigation to look into it.

German automakers have been feeling the squeeze as well from the government's clean energy campaign. They had been paying taxes on renewable energy during a time when vehicle sales were down. BMW has deployed wind turbine towers, and Daimler and Volkswagen are changing over to gas-powered plants. These power sources have been saving the automakers money on their energy costs - it's cheaper to generate their own energy than to pay taxes on renewables made by commercial producers.

German automakers have been fiscally conservative lately as auto sales have dropped, and that may have something to with their decisions to reject the European Union's push for adoption of HFO-1234yf refrigerant. The new refrigerant is scheduled to replace HFC-134a coolant in 2017. Daimler engineers discovered HFO-1234yf could spark a fire under the hood, with the potential to destroy the car and emit highly toxic gas while burning. Daimler, BMW and Volkswagen are walking away from HFO-1234yf, which is not going over well with the European Union.

Bosch turns off light on money-losing solar power unit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto supplierautomakersboschclean energygermanyrenewable energysolarsolar panelsTue, 26 Mar 2013 11:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20517769/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20517769/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/26/bosch-closing-money-losing-solar-power-unit/20517769/article-detail.xml 20517769 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/solar-panels_thumbnail.gif http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/solar-panels.gif <![CDATA[Honda, SolarCity will partner on solar-energy installments [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/honda-solarcity-will-partner-on-solar-energy-installments-w-vi/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/honda-solarcity-will-partner-on-solar-energy-installments-w-vi/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/honda-solarcity-will-partner-on-solar-energy-installments-w-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Honda partners with SolarCity

Add Honda to the list of companies that Elon Musk is partnering with. This time, though the CEO of Tesla Motors is not involving his electric car company, but instead the home solar-panel installation company SolarCity, chaired by Mr. Musk, which will work with the Japanese automaker to increase the number of installations at homes and dealerships throughout SolarCity's 14-state territory.

The two companies are starting a $65-million fund to be used to partially subsidize installation of solar-panel systems at Honda dealers and at the homes of Honda and Acura drivers. The companies plan on working with "hundreds" of Honda dealerships and "thousands" of homeowners. SolarCity says its systems can cut homeowners' utility bills by reducing power demands from the grid.

For the longer term, the companies say they'll work on ways to further the possibilities for drivers of plug-in vehicles like the Honda Fit EV and the Accord Plug-in Hybrid to charge their cars via sunlight. Check out the press release below.

Continue reading Honda, SolarCity will partner on solar-energy installments [w/video]

Honda, SolarCity will partner on solar-energy installments [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acurachargingelectric vehicleelon muskhondapanelssolar powersolarcityMon, 25 Feb 2013 10:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20471986/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20471986/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/honda-solarcity-will-partner-on-solar-energy-installments-w-vi/20471986/article-detail.xml 20471986 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/solarcity_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/solarcity.jpg <![CDATA[Indianapolis-area mall offers free charging at new "plug-in ecosystem"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/10/indianapolis-area-mall-offers-free-charging-at-new-plug-in-ecos/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/10/indianapolis-area-mall-offers-free-charging-at-new-plug-in-ecos/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/10/indianapolis-area-mall-offers-free-charging-at-new-plug-in-ecos/#commentsFiled under: ,

Indiana's Clay Terrace mall

Indianapolis-area plug-in vehicle owners looking to burn a bunch of dollars at the local mall can at least save a few by plugging into a solar-powered station at the Clay Terrace mall in Carmel, the New York Times reports.

The Simon Property Group-owned center last week deployed what it calls its "Plug-In Ecosystem," which includes a fast charger that pulls electricity from the grid as well as solar panels that can offset some of that power use. Simon Property, Duke Energy, Toshiba and Itochu Corp. are among the entities that partnered on the project, which lets folks charge for free.

While Indiana is home to the country's best-known fuel-powered car race, the state is also the US home of Think, the now defunct electric-vehicle maker. Additionally, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has been on a crusade to eventually convert all of the city's fleet vehicles to plug-ins.

For the curious, Indiana is home to about 60 publicly accessible EV-charging stations, enough for one for every 110,000 registered vehicles - whatever their powertrain. Overall, there are about 5,400 publicly accessible EV-charging stations in the US, or about one for every 50,000 registered vehicles.

Indianapolis-area mall offers free charging at new "plug-in ecosystem" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmelcharging stationclay terraceelectric vehicleevindianaindianapolismallplug-in ecosystemsolarSun, 10 Feb 2013 18:31:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20449861/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20449861/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/10/indianapolis-area-mall-offers-free-charging-at-new-plug-in-ecos/20449861/article-detail.xml 20449861 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/clayterrace_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/clayterrace.jpg <![CDATA[VW starts up largest solar park at US auto factory in Chattanooga, TN]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/23/vw-largest-solar-park-us-auto-factory-chattanooga/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/23/vw-largest-solar-park-us-auto-factory-chattanooga/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/23/vw-largest-solar-park-us-auto-factory-chattanooga/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

vw jetta hybrid with solar panel

In December 2011, the Volkswagen plant near Chattanooga, TN was certified LEED Platinum. That's a difficult level to reach - as we described at the time - but the one billion dollars the company spent there fit snugly into the VW corporate storyline: we're going to make cleaner cars at cleaner plants. We're going to reduce CO2 emissions by 30 percent (between 2006 and 2015). We're going to make sure our production facilities are 25 percent more "environmentally compatible." We're going to Think Blue.

"No other factory, so far, has achieved the Platinum reward."

Today, VW made good on one important piece of its LEED Platinum promise: generating its own clean energy. The huge new solar park that was turned on today was always part of the Chattanooga plan, but its official start marks one more way that VW is at the forefront when it comes to building cars cleanly. As Frank Fischer, CEO and chairman of Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, put is, "No other factory, so far, has achieved the Platinum reward. The solar park represents the last milestone that we have to take. We promised to build the solar park, and now it will start to run."

Located just a short bus ride away from the factory, the 65-acre solar park (33 of which are the solar panels themselves) is the largest single array in Tennessee. It is also the largest solar park at a US auto factory. It is made up of 33,600 individual solar panels that together generate 9.58 megawatts of DC power (that's at the panels, it's 7.6 MW of AC power going into the plant) and 13.1 gigawatt hours of electricity a year. That's 12.5 percent of the plant's power needs. In CO2 terms, this means emissions are reduced by 6,675 tons a year, or the amount that 360 average US homes would generate.

VW currently builds the Passat in Tennessee, and last year - the first year of full operation - the company built 152,546 vehicles there, beating the target of 145,000. While most of these are sold in the US, some are exported to our North American neighbors as well as South Korea and the Middle East. The solar park is international as well, since VW partnered with Phoenix Solar, a German solar company with operations around the world, and Silicon Ranch.

When we first visited VW's Chattanooga facility, the message we were left with was that the global automaker was going to use lessons learned in the rolling hills of Hamilton County in other plants around the world. Today, VW called the plant a "benchmark and a role model," and said that energy-saving techniques like lighting optimization, heat recovery and base load reduction would be implemented in VW plants in places like Yizheng, China and Silao, Mexico.
Wolfram Thomas, Group Chief Officer for the Environment, Energy and New Business Areas, said today that, "All our 100 plants are to be environmentally optimized. All our plants must become 25 percent more environmentally compatible." We look forward to seeing how this all plays out, wherever the sun shines.

Continue reading VW starts up largest solar park at US auto factory in Chattanooga, TN

VW starts up largest solar park at US auto factory in Chattanooga, TN originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chattanoogapassatphoenix solarsilicon ranchsolarvolkswagenvwWed, 23 Jan 2013 19:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20435174/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20435174/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/23/vw-largest-solar-park-us-auto-factory-chattanooga/20435174/article-detail.xml 20435174 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volkswagen-chattanooga-solar-park-0-628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volkswagen-chattanooga-solar-park-0-628opt.jpg <![CDATA[1967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

1967 toyota 2000gt solar electric car detroit 2013

Q may have packed James Bond's cars with plenty of killer tech (get it?), but the 1967 Toyota 2000GT you see above has got it's own bad boy secrets. Well, if bad boys like zero-emission electric vehicles.

Weighing just 1,460 kilograms (3,218 pounds), this modified 2000GT is all-electric under the skin - and on the skin in some areas. A high-performance solar panel embedded into the hood and a transmission solar panel sits in place of the rear glass. These feed energy into to a 345-volt, 40-kWh lithium-ion battery which, in turn, powers a 120-kW electric motor. Together in the stylish 2000GT, this powertrain is good for a top speed of over 200 kilometers an hour (124 miles per hour).

The car is on display at the Detroit Auto Show this week, but we fist caught wind of it a year ago when a video popped up showing the work of Japan's Crazy Car Project. Since then, some powertrain components have been upgraded (it used to have a 35-kWh battery). You can see the original video of the car in action here.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1967 toyota 2000 gt200 gtelectric vehiclejames bondsolartoyotaWed, 16 Jan 2013 18:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20430075/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20430075/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/20430075/article-detail.xml 20430075 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-car-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-car-628.jpg <![CDATA[Adopt a panda, solar-charge your electric car. What could be cuter?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/panda-solar-charge-your-electric-car-what-could-be-cuter/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/panda-solar-charge-your-electric-car-what-could-be-cuter/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/panda-solar-charge-your-electric-car-what-could-be-cuter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The San Diego Zoo is the site of a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station - designed to foster EV adoption and renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assert San Diego as a clean energy leader. And, make the zoo a cleaner place for animals to live.

Installation of the EVSE is being carried out by the city government and the Smart City San Diego collaborative between the city, San Diego Gas & Electric, GE, UC San Diego and CleanTECH San Diego. Smart City San Diego and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders unveiled the completed installation from its Solar-to-EV Project - a 90-kilowatt solar photovoltaic canopy that charges EVs in the San Diego Zoo parking lot. Ten solar canopies provide power to five EV charging stations at the zoo.

Using new battery technology, a 100-kW energy storage system is charged by the solar canopies and used to offset power demands on the grid to charge the vehicles. When the battery is full, the excess solar energy that is generated is put onto the electric grid. The solar canopies serve another purpose - providing shade to approximately 50 cars in the Zoo's southeast parking area.

If solar-powered EVs aren't cute enough for you, drivers can do their part to support the environment by contributing to pandas. Check out the Panda Cam to see the newest cub, named Xiao Liwu, which means "little gift," who was born on July 29, 2012. San Diego Zoo visitors have been given the rare opportunity to visit pandas at the Giant Panda Research Station.

Continue reading Adopt a panda, solar-charge your electric car. What could be cuter?

Adopt a panda, solar-charge your electric car. What could be cuter? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationelectric vehicleevpandarenewable energysan diego zoosolar powerThu, 06 Dec 2012 09:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20391806/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20391806/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/06/panda-solar-charge-your-electric-car-what-could-be-cuter/20391806/article-detail.xml 20391806 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/panda-in-san-diego-zoo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/panda-in-san-diego-zoo.jpg <![CDATA[Should there be a fossil fuel moratorium? Some scientists say yes]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/should-there-be-a-fossil-fuel-moratorium-some-scientists-say-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/should-there-be-a-fossil-fuel-moratorium-some-scientists-say-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/should-there-be-a-fossil-fuel-moratorium-some-scientists-say-ye/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Climate change was barely mentioned during October presidential debates, but that doesn't mean the public doesn't care. After all, climate change affected Hurricane Sandy, and that got some media coverage. Some analysts say climate change is just part of historic weather patterns that humans have little say over but most scientists say humans play a big part in the matter, in part through our increasing consumption of fossil fuels.

The power sources required for generating electricity play a large part in CO2 emissions, and it looks like that will be increasing. What would it take to change over energy power to renewables such as solar, wind or hydropower instead of coal or natural gas? Three experts on renewable energy recently published a letter in Nature that calls for an immediate moratorium on adding to the fossil fuel infrastructure.

Keith Barnham, of the Physics Department at Imperial College London; Kaspar Knorr, of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology, in Kassel, Germany; and Massimo Mazzer of the CNR-IMEM, in Parma, Italy, write in "Progress towards an all-renewable electricity supply" that they believe that solar could fuel all the world's electricity power plants as early as 2020 using existing technology, a little energy storage and subsidies that might be no higher than Feed In Tariff structures being used in Germany. The scientists also question whether Germany's drive toward renewables has been as costly as critics claim. They argue that it has actually brought down the cost of peak energy prices.

For Treehugger writer Sami Grover, it's a simple equation: reduce fossil fuel consumption and transition energy over to renewables. Grover writes," a huge part of the climate change battle is simply defining what is possible... We are learning each day how massively underpriced fossil fuels are in the face of the destruction they cause."

There are activists out there trying to do something about climate change, like protestors occupying power stations or "hack-tivists" tweaking Big Oil. Along with generating electricity, the climate change implications for cars are massive and play a role in several global automakers building fossil fuel reduction into their sustainability campaigns. Will all of this be enough? According to Grover, "It's time to aim big or give up." An end to expanding fossil fuel infrastructure certainly fits into one of those two categories, and it's not giving up.

Should there be a fossil fuel moratorium? Some scientists say yes originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car emissionsclimate changeco2 emissionsfossil fuelsglobal warminggreenhouse gashurricane sandyrenewable energysolarsustainabilitywind powerWed, 05 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20394339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20394339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/05/should-there-be-a-fossil-fuel-moratorium-some-scientists-say-ye/20394339/article-detail.xml 20394339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/refugees-of-climate-change_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/refugees-of-climate-change.jpg <![CDATA[Lightning Motorcycles uses solar power to set El Mirage speed record at 189 mph]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/lightning-motorcycles-solar-el-mirage-speed-record-189-mph/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/lightning-motorcycles-solar-el-mirage-speed-record-189-mph/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/lightning-motorcycles-solar-el-mirage-speed-record-189-mph/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Lightning Motorcycles is no stranger to setting land speed records. It laid down a 173.388 mile-per-hour marker for electric motorcycles in 2010 on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and then upped the ante significantly in 2011 with a 215.960 mph performance on that same crystalline stage.

For 2012, however, it's switched venues and brought its superbike to the 1.3-mile course that runs downs the El Mirage dry lake bed. Now, that's a lot less real estate than the five-mile stretch available at Bonneville, but the team still managed to achieve something special.

In an effort sponsored by solar technology company SMA, and with LSR veteran Jim Hoogerhyde gripping the handlebars (tightly, we imagine), Lightning flashed down the dusty trail at 189.086 mph. That speed gives the company the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) record for production motorcycles - electric or gas-powered - for that venue.

There two significant things about this achievement. First, the energy for the three runs was supplied courtesy of the sun. Its rays fed a 48-kWh battery pack attached to a mobile solar array, which in turn, fueled the bike's on-board batteries. This is no coal-powered motorcycle.

Second, though wearing a streamlined fairing, the bike is essentially the same machine that the first handful of customers will begin receiving within the next 60 days or so. Yes, Lightning Motorcycles is turning that hard corner from race team and technology developer to actual manufacturer. And that is no small feat.

Lightning Motorcycles uses solar power to set El Mirage speed record at 189 mph originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>el mirageelectric motorcycleland speed recordlightning motorcycleslightning motorslsrsolar powerTue, 13 Nov 2012 17:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20377833/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20377833/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/13/lightning-motorcycles-solar-el-mirage-speed-record-189-mph/20377833/article-detail.xml 20377833 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/lightning-motorcycles-lsr-solar-bike-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/lightning-motorcycles-lsr-solar-bike-628.jpg <![CDATA[Renault installs massive photovoltaic panels, enough to offset 1,500 gas cars]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/renault-installs-massive-photovoltaic-panels-enough-to-offset-1/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/renault-installs-massive-photovoltaic-panels-enough-to-offset-1/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/renault-installs-massive-photovoltaic-panels-enough-to-offset-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Renault's photovoltaic panels in France

Now if only Renault could get all 15,000 of those people to buy those electric vehicles.

The French automaker has set up what it says is the world's largest solar-panel system within the automotive industry by building about 100 acres worth of photovoltaic panels at six of its French factories.

Renault says the panels at its Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly, Sandouville and Cléon will supply almost 53,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually, or about enough to power a town with the population of 15,000. Moreover, Renault says the panels will reduce emissions of electric vehicle production by 200 metric tons, or about 441,000 pounds, of CO2. That's about what 1,500 gas-powered vehicles put out a year.

Renault, which is said to have invested more than $5 billion in electric-drive technology with sister company Nissan, also plans to build about 25 acres worth of panels at its Valladolid and Palencia factories in Spain, and about 75 acres worth of photovoltaic panels in Buson, South Korea. Read more in Renault's press release below.

Continue reading Renault installs massive photovoltaic panels, enough to offset 1,500 gas cars

Renault installs massive photovoltaic panels, enough to offset 1,500 gas cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefactoryfranchpanelsphotovoltaicrenaultsolarsolar panelsWed, 07 Nov 2012 10:12:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20372584/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20372584/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/07/renault-installs-massive-photovoltaic-panels-enough-to-offset-1/20372584/article-detail.xml 20372584 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/renaultpanels_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/renaultpanels.jpg <![CDATA[How Romney and Obama differ on fossil fuels and the energy debate]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/how-romney-and-obama-differ-on-fossil-fuel-and-energy-debate/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/how-romney-and-obama-differ-on-fossil-fuel-and-energy-debate/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/how-romney-and-obama-differ-on-fossil-fuel-and-energy-debate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Last week, Mitt Romney released a comprehensive energy plan. While taking a backseat to the economy and job creation, energy issues have been discussed regularly by presidential candidates Romney and Barack Obama, and their viewpoints diverge widely. In its online magazine, conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute broke out the core issues that separate the candidates:

Planned vs. free market energy economies: Obama wants more federal funds going toward clean energy, especially wind and solar power, and to stop giving tax subsidies to oil companies. Romney is advocating more of a free-market model, repeating the conservative attack on federal investment in the Solyndra solar energy company that later went bankrupt as an example of how Obama's policies are failing. He would rather see policies in place that promote more traditional energy sources like oil, gas, coal, and nuclear.

Energy affordability: The article makes a statement that Obama's cap and trade policies and strong Environmental Protection Agency mandates on greenhouse gas emissions reduction are possibly being done to gain support from wealthy donors concerned with radical environmentalism. According to AEI, "In contrast to Obama, Romney remains wary of higher energy prices and plans to unleash the free market as a prime means of cost containment by allowing already successful industries like drilling to flourish."

Energy Independence: Both Obama and Romney agree that freedom from Middle East oil imports is something to embrace. They differ in opinion in how to bring this about - Obama is pushing strong federal government leadership to gain energy independence, and Romney is advocating a free market approach that includes more support for oil reserve drilling in the U.S.

The liberal blog Daily Kos notes that Romney's energy policy plan completely ignores the idea of climate change: "Not once is the word, 'climate,' mentioned. But the plan would, Team Romney claims, create three million new jobs. While renewables would get bupkis, the big five oil giants alone would get another $2.3 billion annually in tax breaks."

Nonetheless, Romney's policy was cheered on by the Renewable Fuels Association and the Biotechnology Industry Organization because it supports the Renewable Fuel Standard that sets federal standards for ethanol and advanced biofuels production. Obama has been supportive of RFS, as well.

Continue reading How Romney and Obama differ on fossil fuels and the energy debate

How Romney and Obama differ on fossil fuels and the energy debate originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamabiofuelselectionfossil fuelsmitt romneynatural gasobamaoilromneysolarTue, 28 Aug 2012 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20309913/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20309913/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/28/how-romney-and-obama-differ-on-fossil-fuel-and-energy-debate/20309913/article-detail.xml 20309913 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/mitt-romney-speaking-podium-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/mitt-romney-speaking-podium-628.jpg <![CDATA[BMW's ActiveE gets all the greener with Green Mountain solar partnership]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/bmws-activee-green-mountain-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/bmws-activee-green-mountain-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/bmws-activee-green-mountain-solar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Most anyone who follows the plug-in vehicle scene is familiar with at least one electric-vehicle driver whose car is "powered by sunlight" because of a solar-panel power-supply system at home. If you don't know such a person, you can meet one. Or, with BMW and Green Mountain Energy, you can easily become one.

The German automaker and the utility company have reached an agreement for drivers of the all-electric ActiveE to be able to buy so-called renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Green Mountain. The RECs, which drivers can get for a one-time payment of $48, ensures that all of the electricity to be used up to power the ActiveE during the drivers' lease period will come from renewable sources.

BMW's continuing to boost its green credibility by reaching "green" agreements around the U.S. In May, the company launched a partnership with solar-panel system installer Real Goods Solar in which ActiveE drivers get discounts worth as much as 35 percent off of their systems. ActiveE drivers from California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York are eligible.

BMW started leasing out ActiveE vehicles to customers in January for $499 a month with a $2,250 downpayment. BMW's i3, the ActiveE's successor, will launch in 2014.

Continue reading BMW's ActiveE gets all the greener with Green Mountain solar partnership

BMW's ActiveE gets all the greener with Green Mountain solar partnership originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activeebmw activeeelectric vehiclegreen mountainrenewable energy certificatessolarsolar powerMon, 06 Aug 2012 09:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20293205/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20293205/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/06/bmws-activee-green-mountain-solar/20293205/article-detail.xml 20293205 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/bmw-activee-10_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/bmw-activee-10.jpg <![CDATA[University of Michigan wins American Solar Challenge fourth time in a row]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/university-of-michigan-wins-solar-challenge-fourth-time-in-a-row/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/university-of-michigan-wins-solar-challenge-fourth-time-in-a-row/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/university-of-michigan-wins-solar-challenge-fourth-time-in-a-row/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



When you're within spitting distance of the Motor City, you've got to defend your turf.

That's exactly what the University of Michigan's Solar Car Team did with its solar-powered vehicle last week when it won the 2012 American Solar Challenge - the fourth year in a row the team has taken the crown.

Michigan's car, called Quantum, made the 1,650-mile trip from Rochester, NY, to St. Paul, MN, in 44 hours and 36 minutes, beating second-place finisher Iowa State by a record 10 hours and 18 minutes.

Michigan says the car is 200 pounds lighter than any other car it's entered in the 22-year history of the race and 30 percent more aerodynamic. The vehicle, which has received sponsorship funds from both General Motors and Ford, finished third in last year's World Solar Challenge in Australia.

Continue reading University of Michigan wins American Solar Challenge fourth time in a row

University of Michigan wins American Solar Challenge fourth time in a row originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iowa statemichiganquantumsolarsolar challengest. pauluniversityuniversity of michiganTue, 31 Jul 2012 07:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20287474/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20287474/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/31/university-of-michigan-wins-solar-challenge-fourth-time-in-a-row/20287474/article-detail.xml 20287474 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/michigansolar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/michigansolar.jpg <![CDATA[George Shultz is an electric-car-driving, solar-panel-rockin' Reagan Republican]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/19/george-shultz-is-an-electric-car-driving-solar-panel-rockin-re/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/19/george-shultz-is-an-electric-car-driving-solar-panel-rockin-re/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/19/george-shultz-is-an-electric-car-driving-solar-panel-rockin-re/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

George Shultz shows his house with solar panels.

In the hyperbolic political atmosphere of America today, left-leaning liberals are seen as tofu-eating, Toyota Prius-driving communists, while right-leaning conservatives are depicted as gun-toting, pickup-driving patriots. Thankfully, the real world is a lot more diverse than those caricatures.

Take George Shultz, for example. He served as both Labor and Treasury secretary for Richard Nixon and went on to become Secretary of State for the majority of Ronald Reagan's two terms. Pretty solid conservative bona fides, we think.

And yet, he drives an electric car. A Nissan Leaf to be precise. On top of that, he generates his own electricity with a tidy little solar array. (No word on whether he wears sandals, but we suspect not. At least, not when anyone's looking.)

Now, one might imagine his motivation for choosing clean energy and transportation has something to do with a strong dislike of mid-east oil. They would be correct. "I'm driving on sunshine. Take that, Ahmadinejad!", he states in the video we have waiting for you below.

However, he is also concerned about the disastrous environmental effects our fossil fuel habit is causing. He supports a (gasp!) carbon tax as a way to combat the problem and his car and solar panels are his way of walking the talk. You can hear more of that talk by scrolling below to that aforementioned video. For a more in-depth look at his take on energy, check out this interview over at the Stanford University website.

Continue reading George Shultz is an electric-car-driving, solar-panel-rockin' Reagan Republican

George Shultz is an electric-car-driving, solar-panel-rockin' Reagan Republican originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon taxconservative environmentalistsconservativeselectric vehicleenergy policygeorge shultznissan leafreagan republicansolar panelsThu, 19 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20281126/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20281126/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/19/george-shultz-is-an-electric-car-driving-solar-panel-rockin-re/20281126/article-detail.xml 20281126 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/george-shultz-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/george-shultz-628.jpg <![CDATA[Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/14/does-the-toyota-2000gt-sev-foretell-an-electric-sports-car-w-v/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/14/does-the-toyota-2000gt-sev-foretell-an-electric-sports-car-w-v/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/14/does-the-toyota-2000gt-sev-foretell-an-electric-sports-car-w-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota 2000GT SEV

The totally awesome Toyota 2000GT SEV unveiled earlier this year was the result of what was called the "Crazy Car Project," undertaken by the Toyota Automobile Association. While no doubt some thought that converting the iconic car, of which only 353 examples were made, to run on solar power a bit insane, perhaps there was a method to their madness.

While the CCP website says the solar-powered variant was built for the purpose of "making people feel an excitement of driving and to have a chance to think about our earth in an innovative way", a report over at Autocar suggests that the automaker is actually using it as a platform to test out certain ideas. Ideas like a manual transmission mated to an electric motor, for example.

With an eye toward building an all-electric city car and, eventually, a sports car, the Japanese automaker is considering using the old-fashioned stick to inject more driving joy into the electric experience. While there certainly is an argument to be made for packaging a gear shifter in certain EVs - especially those with lower-voltage systems - we hope Toyota engineers also consider the high-voltage/high-regen route, which can mimic some aspects of the manual feel and also provide for better efficiency and performance.

To get a sense for what driving the 2000GT SEV is like, scroll down for video of it making a recent run up the Goodwood track. And before you ask, that noise seemingly emanating from the electric drivetrain is on purpose. Controlled by iPad via wifi, its HALOsonic system produces sounds to provide feedback for the driver. Though it could mimic galloping horses or tweeting birds, we believe the spaceship setting is being used in this clip.

Continue reading Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video]

Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Talk about lightweighting. Rice University researchers have figured out a way to - wait for it - spray paint the components of a lithium-ion battery onto any hard surface, suggesting that someone looking to get a little rechargeable power can make like Earl Scheib.

The mad scientists in question spray-painted, air-brushed and hand-painted materials that make up a traditional battery onto surfaces such as bathroom tile, glass, steel and, heck, beer steins, all for the sake of getting that electrical charge.

The details involve nanotubes, carbon black particles, cathodes, graphite powder and a bunch of other materials sure to please anyone who had an easier time passing 10th-grade chemistry than this reporter (read more about it here, and check out the video here). Some of the batteries were even charged by solar cells, giving the rare opportunity for hippies and graffiti artists to unite for the common cause.

The Rice scientists have filed for a patent on the process, and for good reason. Check out an explanatory video below.

Continue reading Rice University scientists devise spray-painted battery [w/video]

Rice University scientists devise spray-painted battery [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterylithium ionpaintrechargeablerice universitysolarspray batteryspray paintThu, 05 Jul 2012 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20271404/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20271404/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/05/rice-university-scientists-devise-spray-painted-battery-w-video/20271404/article-detail.xml 20271404 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/ricebattery_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/ricebattery.jpg <![CDATA[SolarWindow, technology for electricity-producing glass, advances]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/solarwindow-technology-for-electricity-producing-glass-advance/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/solarwindow-technology-for-electricity-producing-glass-advance/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/solarwindow-technology-for-electricity-producing-glass-advance/#commentsFiled under: ,



This could be way bigger than regenerative braking.

A product that allows windows to use natural or artificial light to generate electricity got a little closer to commercialization after a Maryland-based company working with the U.S. Department of Energy found a way to lower the cost of production.

New Energy Technologies Inc., along with the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), found a way to reduce the cost of what they call see-through solar cells that allow glass to produce electricity when coated with "an organic solar array composed of a series of ultra-small solar cells measuring less than &frac14; the size of a grain of rice each." The product - called, descriptively, SolarWindow - can now be produced at lower temperatures and under "ambient" pressure, New Energy Technologies says. The company had also worked with the University of South Florida on the project.

Eventually, New Energy Technology, which is publicly traded, is looking to commercialize the product for potential use on 85 million U.S. homes and commercial buildings. No word on whether cars will be next.

Continue reading SolarWindow, technology for electricity-producing glass, advances

SolarWindow, technology for electricity-producing glass, advances originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>National Renewable Energy Laboratorynew energy technologiesnrelsolarsolar windowsolarwindowu.s. department of energyuniversity of south floridaThu, 21 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20262901/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20262901/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/21/solarwindow-technology-for-electricity-producing-glass-advance/20262901/article-detail.xml 20262901 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/newenergy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/newenergy.jpg <![CDATA[GM's Orion Assembly goes solar with 350-kilowatt array]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/gms-orion-assembly-goes-solar-with-350-kilowatt-array/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/gms-orion-assembly-goes-solar-with-350-kilowatt-array/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/gms-orion-assembly-goes-solar-with-350-kilowatt-array/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Nothing like a hot Michigan summer to power a few homes.

General Motors is making good use of that sun by building a solar array on a two-acre plot of land next to its Orion factory, which is about 40 miles north of Detroit. GM is partnering with Detroit-based utility DTE Energy on the project, which involves a 350-kilowatt array that will be able to provide power to the equivalent of about 45 typical Michigan houses. The factory, which was built in 1983, produces about 10,000 vehicles a year, including the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano models. The array is part of the U.S. automaker's effort to double the solar power production used at its factories to 60 megawatts by 2015.

In January, GM released its first annual sustainability report since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009 and said that it met many of its goals to cut its carbon footprint, including making more than 80 factories landfill-free and having them recycle more than 92 percent of their waste. Just this week, GM said it now has 100 "landfill-free" facilities. The automaker said it was looking to further reduce its plants' carbon footprint by 20 percent and also reduce water use by 15 percent. Details below.

Continue reading GM's Orion Assembly goes solar with 350-kilowatt array

GM's Orion Assembly goes solar with 350-kilowatt array originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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