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Vehicle manufacturer Ford has installed 30,226 solar panels at its Silverton Assembly Plant carport. The assembly plant now produces 35% of its electricity from renewables with the solar carport installation generating 13.5 MW of clean energy. The solar initiative forms part of Ford’s overall strategy to take its Silverton Plant off the grid, with Ford South Africa signing a Power Purchase Agreement with South African solar finance company, SolarAfrica, for the installation.
“This project proudly puts the Silverton assembly plant on the map as part of Ford’s commitment to sustainability as we migrate our energy supply from fossil fuels to environmentally-friendly, renewable resources,” said the vice-president of operations at Ford South Africa, Ockert Berry.
The automaker has outlined that the solar photovoltaic installation will reduce approximately 20,072 tons of carbon emissions per year, placing the company firmly on track towards its 2035 carbon-free emission target.
