General Motors Joins Solar Energy Industries Association

DETROIT, February 6, 2013 /3BL Media/ - General Motors is now a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association, joining other renewable energy advocates supporting a strong U.S. solar industry.

“Part of our renewable energy goal as a company involves helping other organizations learn how to successfully implement renewable energy strategies,” said Rob Threlkeld, renewable energy manager for GM. “Joining SEIA enables us to reach a pool of like-minded companies committed to making solar energy a significant energy source.”

Last year, SEIA ranked GM as the No. 1 automotive solar user in the United States. It placed No. 13 among other companies, such as IKEA and Walmart, making significant use of solar power.

“SEIA is thrilled that General Motors has made solar deployment such an integral part of their global sustainability practices,” said Solar Energy Industries Association President and CEO Rhone Resch.  “Transportation and energy are intrinsically linked, and GM’s decision shows the company’s keen understanding of the synergies between the two industries.  

“We’re looking forward to having GM at the table to discuss how we can provide clean affordable transportation and energy options for the American people,” Resch said.

GM’s solar arrays in the United States generated enough electricity in 2012 to power 800 U.S. homes. That number is expected to double in 2013.

Its U.S. solar installations include:

• 1.8MW rooftop solar array at Toledo (Ohio) Transmission Plant expected to generate 3 percent of the plant’s electric consumption.
• 1.237MW array on the rooftop of its White Marsh, Md. plant near Baltimore – one of the largest in the state – generates nearly 6 percent of the facility’s electric consumption.
• 1MW solar array on the rooftop of its Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. distribution center. It was the first public solar project in the United States at 1 megawatt when it began operating in 2006.
• 900kW rooftop array on its parts distribution warehouse in Fontana, Calif.
• 516kW ground-mount solar array at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly – the largest of its kind in Michigan.
• 350kW ground-mount array at GM’s Lake Orion Assembly Plant will provide enough energy to power the equivalent of 45 homes annually in Michigan.

In the United States alone, 2.1 percent of GM’s energy consumption comes from renewable resources. For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report andenvironmental blog.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.