The primary part of one of Michigan's largest solar power generation systems at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant is now up and running. The system is the result of collaboration between Ford, DTE Energy, Xtreme Power, the city of Wayne and the state of Michigan.
DTE Energy installed the 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system at Michigan Assembly. As reported last year, the system will be integrated with a 750-kilowatt energy storage facility that can store 2 million watt-hours of energy using batteries. The project will also include a 50-kilowatt-hour facility to demonstrate the potential reuse of vehicle electric batteries for stationary energy storage. Xtreme Power of Austin, Texas, is supplying its Dynamic Power Resource on-site energy storage and power management system.
The Michigan Assembly project is funded by a $3 million investment from DTE Energy's SolarCurrents program, a $2 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission in support of the state's smart-grid initiative, and approximately $800,000 worth of in-kind contributions from Ford.
"This solar energy system allows us to test the viability of alternative energy to supply power for our manufacturing facilities around the world," said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president, North America Manufacturing.