Massive rooftop solar installation at FedEx in New Jersey
Corporations worldwide are turning to solar power to cut costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Large, mostly empty spaces on the tops of warehouses and other buildings are ideal spaces for a rooftop solar array. On Earth Day 2010, FedEx proved it was going the distance with its own rooftop solar installation.
The largest solar electric system installed on a private facility in the U.S., the FedEx facility in Woodbridge, New Jersey includes 12,400 solar panels, covers 3.3 acres of rooftop space and will generate 2.6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar electricity annually. BP Solar provided and installed the rooftop solar panels.
That amount of power generated by the FedEx solar installation will offset 30% of the energy demands of the 340,000 square foot facility.
You might be wondering… New Jersey… solar power? Its true! While the Garden State may not be the sunniest locale in the U.S., it is second in production of solar energy, just behind California.
In fact, Woodbridge, New Jersey is already in a solar electricity mode. The City has installed rooftop solar arrays on three municipal buildings and a firehouse. Drawing on solar rebates offered by the state, Woodbridge is already counting on significant annual savings for its energy costs. The City paid approximately $2.5 million for the solar electric systems, and will save about $140,000 a year in utility bills, while making half a million each year selling back energy credits through New Jersey’s renewable energy trading scheme.
Delivering solar electricity to the FedEx facility in Woodbridge, New Jersey
With the addition of FedEx’s largest rooftop solar installation, the City of Woodbridge is (pardon the pun) beaming. Mayor John E. McCormac commented:
“We’re proud to be the host town of the largest solar panel complex in the country. Our town is a leader among municipalities and our companies are leaders, too.”
When it comes to delivering on promises to cut energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, this FedEx facility (and the City of Woodbridge) is clearly going the distance!
Tags: bp solar, fedex solar, largest solar electric system, new jersey solar, rooftop solar array, rooftop solar installation, rooftop solar panels, solar array rooftop, solar electricity
