Kia Georgia, in partnership with Vehicle Protection Structures, has joined a handful of other vehicle manufacturing plants in the U.S. that have invested in solar energy for power production.

Its West Point facility held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday to announce the completion of “a large-scale hail protection and solar canopy system” that spans 3.2 million square feet and generates 10 megawatts of on-site solar power.

“This project reflects a new standard for how manufacturers can approach risk management,” said VPS Executive Vice President Wade White. “By combining large-scale protection with on-site solar generation, Kia Georgia is not only safeguarding its operations but also turning that investment into a source of ongoing value.”

The automaker said that after a hailstorm in 2023 damaged more than 13,000 vehicles at the facility, it sought a solution that would “mitigate future risk and create long-term value.”

The canopy system generates on-site renewable power with solar panels made by Georgia-based Qcells, Kia said.

VPS, a provider of automotive hail, heat and UV protection, “delivered a turnkey system that provides continuous vehicle protection while transforming previously unused space into a productive energy asset.”

Cheryl Davis, vice president of customer service at Georgia Power, said, “Collaborative projects like this show what’s possible when you think about energy more strategically and bring the right partners to the table.”

“At Georgia Power, our teams work every day with customers to identify and implement creative projects that help them meet renewable energy or sustainability goals and, in the case of this project, simultaneously solve a unique business need. We are very excited to be part of this incredible project with Kia Georgia and VPS.”