Ford is working to make its customers' lives more environmentally friendly both on the road and at home through its new partnership with SunPower.
The partnership will make high-efficiency rooftop solar systems available for the homes of Ford Focus Electric owners. The idea is to make the solar systems affordable and large enough to provide sufficient renewable energy production to offset the energy used in charging the car.
"Traditionally, solar is essentially a custom system," says Mike Tinskey, director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure for
Ford. "We were able to work with SunPower to create a common system at a price point that hasn't been seen before in solar."
The 2.5 kilowatt
SunPower system will produce an estimated 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. These high-efficiency solar panels generate approximately 50 percent more electricity than conventional panels and utilize a smaller footprint on the roof. The system was sized to accommodate a customer who drives about 1,000 miles per month.
The solar systems come with a 25-year warranty and are priced at $10,000 with federal tax credits. Local and state rebates, along with other incentives, may drive the system cost down even more, depending on a customer's location.
Source: Mike Tinskey, director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure for Ford
Writer: Jon Zemke
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