- Ford is upping the green ante with its 2012 Ford Focus Electric, saying on Wednesday that it will sell an optional home solar energy system to offset about 1,000 miles of driving a month.
- The home rooftop solar system will have a base price of just under $10,000 after federal tax credits.
- It will also be compatible with the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle due out in 2012.
DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford is upping the green ante with its 2012 Ford Focus Electric, saying on Wednesday that it will sell an optional home solar energy system to offset about 1,000 miles of driving a month.
The home rooftop solar system also helps to counter complaints from environmentalists who argue that driving an electric vehicle isn't the greenest choice because electricity from the grid is often produced by burning coal and other fossil fuels.
The solar system will have a base price of just under $10,000 after federal tax credits — but does not include modifications to the roof of your house, an electrical service panel or "excessive wire requirements," said Ford in a statement.
The system will also be compatible with the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle due out in 2012.
The automaker is teaming up with solar provider SunPower on the unusual option. The solar energy system will be available in late 2011 in conjunction with the Focus Electric's rollout in 19 markets around the U.S., including Los Angeles, New York and Houston. Ford has not yet announced pricing on the Focus Electric.
A full nationwide rollout of the Focus Electric won't take place until 2012.
Ford explained that the 2.5-kilowatt home rooftop system is made up of solar panels that produce an average of 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The panels would provide juice from the sun to the house and "accommodate a customer who drives about 1,000 miles per month," Ford said.
Included in the purchase of the system is a "residential monitoring system" that includes the ability to track performance of the setup on the Web or through an iPhone application.
Ford said financing options are available through SunPower.
Inside Line says: Pricey, but should be a compelling choice for the greenest consumers.
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bepperb says:
02:09 PM, 10/24/2011
Having a solar system installed in your garage is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. When the sun is shining I'm at work.... drumroll.... with my car. At night, when my car is parked in the garage the sun isn't shining.
I guess for those who work third shift, or are nocturnal by nature, this could work.
nelsonlu says:
08:39 PM, 08/10/2011
Those who are complaining "$10K is too much!" don't seem to realize that SunPower typically charges $18K for this system. (http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_18653385) It still may or may not make sense for the individual car owner (I am considering a Focus EV for my mother, but I don't think we'll get this solar system) but $10K is certainly a lot less expensive than $18K.
ddark13 says:
11:57 AM, 08/10/2011
@ed124c
it doesn't matter where the energy from the solar panels is devoted to in your house. what matters is that instead of using 500 kw per year by your electric car/house youd use 300 instead
sinna46 says:
10:51 AM, 08/10/2011
When the Tesla was first coming to market didn't they tout a solar garage system similar to this?
I think it is a great option although very expensive. It would be possible to make the solar pannels even larger and your electric bill even smaller. Nobody says you should only make enough electricity to offset your electric car usage.
ed124c says:
08:57 AM, 08/10/2011
This solar energy system does not directly power the Focus. It simply reduces your electric cost-- like any roof mounted solar panels.
The text on the left side of the second "photo" confirms that. Also, I read it on another site.
runreb211 says:
08:52 AM, 08/10/2011
I'm all for continued improvement and development of alternate fuel sources, but $10k is a very steep price for pretty much everyone who would be interested in this car. Maybe some of the Hollywood douches will buy it so they can promote a 'green' image. Still, considering we will likely never drill for any of our own oil, it's good to explore the other opportunities out there.