Ford To Build Michigan’s Largest Solar Array

Ford has teamed up with utility DTE Energy to build the largest solar array in its home state of Michigan, as well as the second-largest carport in the entire Midwest. The solar array will provide 360 covered parking spots and 30 plug-in vehicle charging stations, and is expected to generate 1.13 million kWh annually.

That’s enough energy to power about 158 average-sized American homes for an entire year, tough instead the power will be fed into the Ford World Headquarters, offsetting some 794 metric tons of carbon each year. The project is being funded by DTE Energy, and after a carport at the Cincinnati Zoo, it will be the largest carport in the Midwest. Construction will begin this September and is expected to be completed early next year, after which DTE energy has a 20-year contract to operate and maintain the solar-powered carport.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with DTE Energy to bring a more efficient, renewable energy source to our offices,” said Donna Inch, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Land Development Corporation. “This is an innovative project that will benefit both DTE Energy and Ford, and is yet another example of our work toward building a more sustainable future.”

The two companies have previously teamed up on other solar projects, including a 500-kilowatt system at the Michigan Assembly Plant. DTE Energy has committed to produce 10% of its energy from renewable sources by the end of next year, and this massive solar array gets them that much closer.

“The SolarCurrents canopy project is another example of how DTE Energy and Ford are working to build a more energy-efficient and sustainable future,” said Irene Dimitry, DTE Energy vice president, marketing and renewables. “At the same time, this project will help us come closer to meeting Michigan’s renewable energy goals and diversify our energy portfolio.”

Source: Ford 

Pocono Raceway Solar Farm Hits 15 million kWh

Conversations about renewable energy and IndyCar tend to focus on the series’ use and endorsement of locally-grown, high-octane, low-emission biofuels and E85 ethanol blends. There’s more to it than that, however, especially at the Pocono tri-oval!

First installed at the facility back in 2010, the Pocono tri-oval’s 39,960 American-made photovoltaic modules (or solar panels) have already passed the 15 million kWh mark – and are well on their way to producing a projected 72 million kWh of energy by 2030!

“It is amazing to see the amount of energy produced by the solar farm in this short period of time,” said Pocono Raceway President and CEO Brandon Igdalsky. “To put the amount of energy produced into layman’s terms, the solar farm has saved over 1,215,000 gallons of fuel. This would equal 121,500 trips from New York City or Philadelphia to Pocono Raceway in a vehicle, such as an RV (or large pickup) using 10 miles per gallon of gasoline … (now) when I watch the NASCAR Green commercial during race broadcasts, there is a line which asks Greg Biffle, ‘Go solar to power the sport?’ The amount of fuel we have saved (here at Pocono) would power the top three levels of NASCAR for about two-and-a-half seasons. So, I guess, we really could power the sport!”

So, in addition to providing returning champion and Gas 2 favorite Juan Pablo Montoya with a storybook win a few weeks ago, we now have even more reasons to love the “tricky triangle”.

For those of you curious enough to check it out the next time you head to the track, the Pocono Raceway Solar Farm can be located along Long Pond Road, and sits adjacent to Pocono’s storied 2.5 mile tri-oval. I’d try to call ahead for a tour, though.

Source | Images: Racer Magazine.