Rivian hopes to soon be able to charge all new electric vehicles (EVs) coming out of the their factory in Normal, Illinois with 100% renewable energy. The automaker took the first step in making that happen, flipping the switch on their brand new Solar Charging Yard.
The Solar Charging Yard has the capacity to charge 72 vehicles at once, with all of the energy being used to power the Rivian DC Fleet System coming from the 783kW solar panel system.
The Rivian Solar Charging Yard was built in partnership with ForeFront Power. According to the company the facility can generate 1.04 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, and will help Rivian avoid emitting 800 tons of CO2 every year.
Over the weekend Rivian shared an impressive video of the new facility, showing it filled with brand new R1T, R1S, and EDVs (electric delivery vans) getting their first DC fast charge from the sun.
We’ve flipped the switch on the Solar Charging Yard in Normal. It uses our Rivian DC Fleet System to charge 72 vehicles at once. We’re also working to install a 2.8 megawatt wind turbine, which means soon, R1 vehicles will get their first charge entirely from on-site renewables. pic.twitter.com/Lvi3xJfT5X
— Rivian (@Rivian) September 29, 2022
As we have previously reported, Rivian is also looking to bolster their supply of renewable electricity with the addition of a massive wind turbine.
The wind turbine will have a capacity of least 2.8 megawatts (MW) and be able to generate nearly 10 million kWh of electricity every year, or enough to power 890 average homes in the US.
Rivian has pledged to reach net zero emission by 2040.
