Photovoltaic panel installation at Honda plant

Does Honda have solar panels?

"The installation of Honda Soltec solar panels along with an electric vehicle charging station at one of our most advanced Honda facilities in the United States represents a big step for us in our solar product development," said Mike Hodge, manager of Honda Home Energy for the Power Equipment Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

What is Honda's solar demonstration project?

The solar demonstration project is one of Honda's largest to date, providing power to several areas of the HPD research-and-development campus, while reducing energy loads and CO2 emissions. Energy produced by the solar array is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 64 metric tons annually, according to Honda estimates.

What is a Honda solar array?

The Honda solar array complements other unique environmental technologies installed at the facility, as well as HPD's plans for "green racing" motorsports programs. Honda Soltec is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda based in Kumamoto, Japan.

How does Honda's next-generation solar cell work?

Using a thin-film compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), Honda's next-generation solar cell requires less raw material and 40 percent less energy, and related CO2 emissions, to manufacture compared to conventional crystal silicon solar cells.

How does Honda's solar tracking system work?

The system features a solar tracking system that allows some panels to follow the path of the sun and is designed to power an electric vehicle charger, demonstrating Honda's vision for a sustainable energy management system that incorporates Honda solar cell and electric vehicle technologies.

Does Honda use CIGS solar cells?

In Japan, where Honda first began selling its CIGS solar cells in October 2008, Honda is utilizing Honda Soltec solar cells in 15 facilities, including most of its factories and major R&D facilities, with a total output of 2.5 megawatts.