Onset weather stations track green roof performance at Ford plant

Onset Computer Corp., a supplier of data loggers, announced that Ford Motor Co. has installed its web-based weather stations on the green rooftop of Ford's environmentally-friendly Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan.

Two Onset HOBO® U30 weather stations monitor soil moisture levels on the green roof, as well as general rooftop weather conditions, and transmit the data to the Internet for access by Ford engineers. 

The data is being used on an ongoing basis to verify that the 10.4-acre vegetated roof is helping to reduce the amount of stormwater released after periods of rainfall. The data also helps plant personnel maintain the health of the rooftop's sedum groundcover, and contributes to the energy savings at the plant by reducing heating and cooling costs. 

Ford Motor Co.'s actions to reduce the amount of energy used to manufacture vehicles and support its U.S. operations have earned it the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's coveted 2009 ENERGY STAR Award for the fourth consecutive year.

Ford Motor Co.'s green roof planted with sedum at its Dearborn truck plant in Dearborn, MI
Ford Motor Co.

Onset Computer Corp.'s HOBO U30 weather station on the Ford Motor Co.'s roof
Onset Computer Corp.

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