‘Drive Green for Life’ Program Launched by Ford and Sunpower $F $SPWRA
Energy Boom
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has announced it is partnering with SunPower Corp.(NasdaqNM: SPWRA) in the launching of its new ‘Drive Green for Life’ program that will make electric vehicles (EVs) even more environmentally friendly.
The California-based solar panel manufacturer will offer high-efficiency rooftop solar systems for Ford Focus Electric buyers at substantial discounts to help offset electricity used to charge EVs.
Focus Electric owners will be able to save on electricity costs and drive completely emission-free by charging their electric vehicles using the power of the sun. Backed by a 25-year warranty, the 2.5 kilowatt system will produce about 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, providing enough juice to drive the Focus about 12,000 miles per year.
The system, comprised of SunPower’s high-efficiency E18 Series solar panels, can “generate approximately 50 percent more electricity than conventional panels and utilize a smaller footprint on the roof,” according to the company press release. A residential monitoring system that allows customers to monitor and track the performance of the solar system will also be available online or via an iPhone app.
Federal tax credits will reduce the rooftop solar system’s cost to about $10,000. And, depending on the customer’s location, additional utility, local and state rebates will reduce the cost to EV owners even more. The system will also be compatible with Ford’s C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid expected to be released in 2012.
The companies also took part in a live online chat to answer consumer questions and provide more information about the collaborative effort. Interested parties can sign up on the company website for further information about Drive Green for Life program. The zero-emissions, gasoline-free Ford Focus Electric is expected to go on sale later this year while the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will hit the road in 2012.
Based in San Jose, SunPower designs and manufactures solar panels and systems for residential, business, government and utility customers. To help meet the growing solar demand in North America, SunPower recently announced it is expanding operations into Mexico.
Original Article on EnergyBoom
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