Porsche said Monday it plans to build and operate a solar-powered microgrid at its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta that could allow it to cut carbon emissions by 3.2 million pounds a year. The news comes just days after Ford announced what it called its largest-ever U.S. renewable energy purchase, powering its facilities in Michigan with renewable energy.
The installation of Porsche’s microgrid, an electrical network that uses solar panels to generate electricity, will begin in September and end in 2023. The renewable energy project is part of a $50 million development at the Porsche Experience Center campus in Atlanta.
Porsche has entered into a 25-year operating agreement with Cherry Street Energy, Georgia’s largest non-utility solar provider, to power the on-site fleet of Porsche Taycan electric vehicles, among other applications. The energy company will own, operate and maintain the microgrid and sell the electricity to Porsche.
Both Ford and Porsche said the energy will accelerate their sustainability goals over the next decade. Porsche said in a statement that energy from solar panels will provide “a significant portion of annual electricity demand.
Porsche aims to be carbon neutral in all its operations by 2030. Ford has set a goal of powering all of its global facilities with renewable energy by 2035 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
