BYD to Install Solar at Antelope Valley Plant

BYD Motors Ltd. has partnered with Apparent Inc. on a two-megawatt solar and energy storage project at its Lancaster manufacturing plant. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer will co-own with Apparent, in Novato, the solar energy system and will supply the solar panels and batteries. Apparent will provide its predictive, intelligent grid operating software. The system is expected to be operational this fall at BYD Coach & Bus, the Lancaster facility that makes electric buses, which will buy power from the system. The solar installation serves as an example of BYD’s ability to provide affordable solar power and storage products. “Not only can BYD provide battery-electric vehicles, it can also provide green energy generation and storage systems that will save customers money, especially during peak energy demand hours,” BYD North America President Stella Li said in a statement. BYD Coach & Bus is part of BYD Motors Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of BYD Motors Ltd. BYD opened its Lancaster production facility in 2013 and employs more than 800 workers. The Lancaster plant is the first official project that is a part of BYD and Apparent’s strategic partnership to for zero emission energy.