More than 8,700 solar panels to be installed at transmission plant through partnership with MD solar company
WHITE MARSH, Md. (Aug. 21, 2008)—General Motors (NYSE: GM) today announced a massive solar power project for its Baltimore County transmission plant. The plant, which produced over 189,000 six-speed transmissions last year for GM vehicles and employs over 300 people, will install a rooftop solar power installation which, when completed, will cover over 300,000 square feet of rooftop and will be one of the largest installations of its kind on the East Coast.
For this project, GM has partnered with Sun Edison of Beltsville, Maryland which will provide the thin film solar panels for the project. Sun Edison, a company that employs 150 people in Maryland, was founded in 2003 and is North America’s largest solar energy services provider. Sun Edison provides the design, engineering, and installation of the entire solar array, including a 20 year commitment with General Motors for service and maintenance.
Governor Martin O’Malley, one of the State's leading advocates for alternative energy projects, applauded the move. “Maryland is quickly emerging as a national leader in renewable energy, and with projects like this one announced by General Motors, we will move forward toward making our State a model for the rest of the country,” noted Governor O’Malley. “Being a responsible corporate citizen means more than generating a healthy bottom line. It means contributing positively to the community, and that community includes the natural beauty and environmental resources we all share. General Motors is to be commended for this bold step towards a sustainable energy future.”