GM signs solar deal for three assembly plants

Written and originally published by Catie Owen, Editor of Solar & Storage XTRA

Electric vehicle manufacturer General Motors (GM) has announced the signing of a 15-year r enewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy. The agreement outlines that the 180MW-capacity Newport Solar project in Arkansas, run by NorthStar, will provide electricity to three GM assembly plants. The Newport Solar project generates enough annual electricity to power more than 30,000 homes. The plants involved in the power purchase agreement are Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan, and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri. According to GM’s announcement, the power purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy is the manufacturer’s largest deal so far, and a “milestone in our goal to be carbon neutral by 2040”. Rob Threlkeld, GM Director of Global Energy Strategy, comments in the statement: “By expanding our renewable electricity portfolio, we are taking a major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our broader sustainability goals. “This facility not only supports our renewable electricity strategy, but also demonstrates our dedication to a sustainable future for all.” The company also announced in 2022 that it had finalised the energy sourcing agreements needed to lock down 100% of the energy required to power its sites across the USA. As of the statement’s release, GM states that they have sourcing agreements in place from 17 renewable energy plants across 11 states in the USA. [Image: NorthStar’s Newport Solar project in Arkansas. Image credit: GM and NorthStar Clean Energy]