US car manufacturer Ford has announced plans to install a huge solar carport with charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles at its headquarters in Michigan.

It has teamed up with DTE Energy for the project, which will provide 360 covered parking spaces and 30 charge points for EVs.

The 1.04MW carport – claimed to be the largest solar array in Michigan – will generate 1.13 million kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 158 homes every year. The project is also expected to cut more than 700 metric tons of carbon emissions every year.

Donna Inch, Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Land Development Corporation said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with DTE Energy to bring a more efficient, renewable energy source to our offices.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed early next year.