GM Adds More Solar Power
16 September 2007
GM is adding a major solar power installation to the roof of its Service and Parts Operations (SPO) warehouse in Fontana, California. The solar power array will provide about half of the electricity needed to run the facility and will feed extra electricity back to the grid.
The Fontana solar array will be atop GM’s 300,000 square foot warehouse facility and will become operational in December. It joins a similarly-sized solar installation at another GM Service and Parts Operations warehouse eight miles away in Rancho Cucamonga.
The system will generate about 1.3 million kWh of electricity a year, about the amount needed to power 200 homes for one year. Electricity generated by the solar array not used by the GM facility will be fed back to the grid for sale to other area residents and businesses. During spring and fall, which are periods of high sunshine combined with low air conditioning needs, the system will generate extra electricity for the grid.
General Motors estimates that the solar array at its SPO facility in Fontana will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 355 metric tons each year, while reducing its electricity costs by about 10% a year.
Constellation Energy Projects & Services has partnered with GM and will design, build, own, and operate the Fontana solar array. GM has a long-term contract with Constellation to purchase electricity generated from the system.
General Motors partners in the project are United Solar Ovonic, which manufacturers the thin film solar laminates used in the system and also supplied the Rancho Cucamonga array; Developing Energy Efficient Roof Systems (DEERS), and Constellation Energy and Product Services.
Kudos to GM - I like hearing about big companies doing this type of thing.
Posted by: Travis Rassat | 16 September 2007 at 08:47 AM
Was this a business decision or a marketing stunt?.. what is the payback period if any?, what is the cost per kw installed?
I guess it is always a business decision, either way they will get their money back.
Posted by: Herm Perez | 16 September 2007 at 09:55 AM
and of course if there is no payback period then GM customers end up paying for it.. but they will be happy knowing GM is helping to save the planet.
Posted by: Herm Perez | 16 September 2007 at 09:57 AM
Then, Travis, you may want to subscribe to the Green Power News Feed: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/subscribe/subscribe_rss.html
Posted by: jcwinnie | 16 September 2007 at 10:05 AM
more EV1 guilt !
Posted by: andrichrose | 16 September 2007 at 10:38 AM
Notice how it's in California -- where the state picks up over 1/2 the cost of the panels.
Posted by: jack | 16 September 2007 at 11:16 AM
Think about how many of us would put up panels if they were $300 bucks for a 150w panel instead of $1000. Susposedly The major investor in Tesla Motors is involved in developing and hopefully marketing low-cost PV panels. I would think that by now this would have happened....unless....someone is controlling the market, you know, like BP, Exxon, etc. Just wondering!
Posted by: Lad | 16 September 2007 at 11:27 AM
While they're at it, why don't they put up a windmill or two - nice big ones, made in America - and then do it at all suitable facilities.
This might help them think about smart chargers for future PHEVs - i.e. charging when there is excess electricity with radio messaging for notification.
Posted by: mahonj | 16 September 2007 at 12:31 PM
Even if the cost of the electicity is somewhat higher than conventional electricity, the macro-economic cost is much lower. A very big part of the cost of solar energy goes to pay all the people making and installing it. So, a lot of the money goes returns to the state due to taxes and increased economic activity. So it is very economic for the state to subsidize.
Posted by: | 16 September 2007 at 01:09 PM
jcwinnie,
Thanks for the link!
Posted by: Travis Rassat | 16 September 2007 at 05:50 PM
I hope that GM is also winding up to offer rooftop solar panels to their customers to go with their new E-flex cars. Anyone want to place bets on whether they are that smart? They need more business these days; why not take it away from the industry that has been using them and taking advantage of them, namely energy?
Posted by: P Schager | 17 September 2007 at 12:05 AM
PSchager good point. It would seem logical for a company with a reasonable knowledge of materials business would work the energy side of their E-Flex vehicles. Minimally GM should consider panels on major plants and dealerships. If GM builds or OEMs panels they could package them with E-Flex cars.
In any case this is a smart move if somewhat unaccountable. How do you provide half the electricity for a facility and account for only a 10% reduction in electric bills?
Posted by: gr | 17 September 2007 at 03:03 PM
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