In February 2012, BMW Manufacturing added new solar panels to provide solar energy to fully power the 24,000 square foot Zentrum Museum and three new electric vehicle charging stations (available for public use). The 400 solar modules, each capable of producing 240 watts of energy, save approximately 135,000 kilowatt hours per year. BMW invested $500,000 in this installation. The benefits of solar energy installation include the addition of an energy program that is self-sustained by renewable energy, further diversifies the plant’s energy platform by harnessing another energy source, and deepens BMW’s overall commitment to sustainability.