SunEdison (News - Alert), provider of solar energy services and subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., announced that it will head the development of the home solar photovoltaic (PV) charging systems for Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles (EV) under the Pecan Street Inc., smart grid and clean energy research and development organization, smart grid project.

By joining this project, SunEdison has been included in the long list of participating companies such as Chevrolet, Freescale (News - Alert), and Intel among others that are extending their products and researchers to the project which is being handled by researchers from Pecan Street and the University of Texas. Products being deployed in the project include residential installations of EVs, a number of home services systems and smart appliances as well as home solar panels used for charging cars. 

In a release, Carlos Domenech, President SunEdison, said, "We are delighted to be participating with Chevrolet and other industry and thought leaders in the Pecan Street Inc. project. The use of our advanced SunEdison Energy and Environmental Data System (SEEDS) platform in this project will help gather what will be the most comprehensive collection of consumer energy data developed in the United States, and will enable us to support zero-carbon footprint automotive solutions."

Several of the home solar vehicle charging systems will feature in-home batteries, and will easily integrate with the home services systems deployed by member companies in the Pecan Street Inc. project. The 150 odd participating residents will be provided with rooftop solar PV; this includes almost all the residents acquiring Volts.

Pecan Street Inc. executive director Brewster McCracken said, "To be relevant, smart grid energy innovations must solve consumers' problems and provide services that excite them. We are thrilled to have these forward-thinking companies working with our researchers and with the hundreds of residents who are volunteering their homes and their time."

Development of the EV+PV systems, which will deliver a completely green transportation mode, is dependent on information about consumers energy consumption. Additionally, this green approach will also support management of smart appliances and other services for consumers.