GM has signed commercial agreements with Sunlogics for the installation of solar charging canopies at Chevrolet dealerships and GM facilities - like this one at Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc, Michigan. [Photo Credit: Steve Fecht for General Motors Ventures]

Showing it’s definitely serious about tapping the synergy between solar energy and transportation, General Motors has invested $7.5 million in Sunlogics PLC, a vertically integrated global solar energy systems provider specializing in solar project development and installation.

GM also signed commercial agreements with Sunlogics for the installation of solar charging canopies at Chevrolet dealerships and GM facilities, as well as a power purchase agreement to install large-scale solar arrays at GM facilities and purchase the energy they produce.

Sunlogics will use some of the funding to establish its corporate headquarters and open a manufacturing facility in suburban Detroit, and to set up a manufacturing facility in Ontario. The facility in Southeast Michigan will create 200 jobs and the Canadian facility will support 110 jobs.

Committed to solar expansion
“We believe that investing in renewable energy is a smart and strategic business decision,” said Jon Lauckner, president of GM Ventures. “The Chevrolet solar charging canopy project complements our electrification strategy that started with the Chevrolet Volt by helping our cars live up to their fullest green potential.”

Sunlogics’ management has experience developing and operating solar commercial installations in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

“GM’s solar expansion and financial commitment provides a firm foundation for the growth of Sunlogics’ business worldwide and will bring more sustainable green energy to GM operations,” said Michael Matvieshen, CEO of Sunlogics.

GM doubling solar output
As part of the announcement, General Motors has committed to double its solar energy output globally by the end of 2015.

GM facilities currently house 30 megawatts of solar power, and the company said it is committing to doubling that capacity to 60 megawatts over the next few years, which is equivalent to powering 10,000 homes annually.

“Renewable energy makes good business sense and it helps us reduce the impact of our facilities on the environment,” said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of Energy, Environment & Safety Policy.

GM has three of the largest automotive rooftop solar power installations in the United States and the world’s largest rooftop solar installation at its car assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain.

Additionally, GM has started construction on a new solar field at its Detroit-Hamtramck facility and recently completed construction on a solar array on top of its Baltimore Operations facility.

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