Automaker Ferrari, known for its hot sports cars, isn't exactly the first name to come to mind when you think of an environmentally conscious auto company.  However, the company has actually been making a substantial effort to provide greener offerings which retain performance.  It has been exploring technologies such as direct injection, dual clutch gearboxes, biofuels, weight reduction, and hybrids.

Now in a symbolic gesture, it’s looking to green its day-to-day business, as well by installing 1,075 solar modules from Mitsubishi Electric on its Engine Mechanical Machining facility in Maranello, Italy.  In total, the new panels will provide 213,985 kWh of power per year. 

Ferrari has also planted 200 trees in the last six months and estimates it to have 165,000 square meters of green areas in its buildings and is looking at ways to reduce the toxic emissions from its facilities as well.

Ferrari brags in its press release, "Ferrari's commitment to environmental sustainability dates all the way back to 2001 when it was awarded ISO 14001 certification; the Prancing Horse also obtained Integrated Environmental Authorisation in 2007."

The installation is being carried out by EnerRay, a European solar firm that is part of the Maccaferri Group.  The inverter will be provided by Siemens, a German firm.

Now that Ferrari has gone a little greener it can go back to doing what it does best -- burning up rubber on the track.