SunEdison, a solar energy services provider and a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials Inc., has joined the Pecan Street Inc. smart grid project. As part of its role, SunEdison will be leading development of at-home photovoltaic charging systems for Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles.
Pecan Street Inc. is creating a smart-grid demonstration project in Austin, Texas, built around home applications and consumer electronics. SunEdison joins other participating companies Best Buy, Check-It, Chevrolet, Freescale, Intel, Landis+Gyr, Sony and Whirlpool in deploying products and dedicating researchers to the project. Researchers will collaborate with Pecan Street and University of Texas researchers.
A number of the SunEdison-led home solar vehicle charging systems will also have in-home batteries, and all systems will integrate into the home services systems provided by other companies in the Pecan Street Inc. project, SunEdison notes. More than 150 participating residents will have rooftop solar PV, including nearly all of the residents who acquire Volts.