GM named No. 1 automotive solar power user in U.S.

General Motors Co. is the No.1 automotive user of solar power in the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

The national trade association along with Vote Solar Initiative, determined the industry rankings by cumulative solar energy capacity.

“GM has set an example in renewable energy within its industry and beyond,” said Rhone Resch, CEO of the SEIA, in a statement. “Solar helps companies reliably manage their long-term energy costs, and our top 20 companies are going solar in a big way across the nation.”

Last year, GM committed to doubling its global solar output to 60 megawatts in the next three years, and to increase renewable energy use to 125MW by 2020.

In the U.S., 2.1 percent of the Detroit-based automaker’s energy consumption comes from renewable resources.

“We understand the environmental and business benefits of using renewable energy and we look forward to building on it with our new commitments,” said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of sustainability and global regulatory affairs.

According to officials, GM’s solar arrays will generate enough electricity this year to power 800 U.S. homes and that number is expected to double in 2013.

GM ranked thirteenth out of all U.S. companies for total installed solar capacity.

The top 10 companies in terms of on-site solar capacity included Walmart, Costco, Kohl’s Department Stores, IKEA, Macy’s, McGraw-Hill, Johnson & Johnson, Staples, Inc., Campbell’s Soup and Walgreens.

Combined, the top 20 corporate solar users’ installations generate an estimated $47.3 million worth of electricity each year.

Courtesy of Michigan Automotive News