GM Named Top Automotive User of Solar Power

General Motors Co. ranks first among carmakers and 13th among all companies for its use of solar power in the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Assn.

The Orlando, Fla., based trade group says GM has 12 systems in five states that represent a combined 5.6 megawatts of installed solar capacity. The carmaker expects to double its worldwide solar output to 60 MW by the end of 2014.

The top five companies on SEIA's list in terms of solar capacity are Walmart (65 MW), Costco (39 MW), Kohl's (36 MW), IKEA (21 MW) and Macy's (16 MW).

The association says government and business have deployed more than 2,300 MW of solar systems at 24,000 facilities across the U.S. The top 20 companies in its ranking represent a combined 279 MW of capacity.