SunPower has announced that construction has begun on an 8.79 MW solar system at Toyota Motor North America's new headquarters in Plano (Texas). Close to one megawatt larger than originally planned, it is expected to be Texas' largest corporate office on-site solar installation among non-utility companies.
About 50 certified workers started installing high-efficiency SunPower solar panels on steel carport structures across the top of four parking garages at the new Toyota Headquarters in Texas. The more than 20,000 solar panels are expected to cover about a third of the campus’ electrical needs.
Toyota is integrating a range of energy efficient technologies and sustainable materials into the design of its state-of-the-art campus, with the intention of achieving LEED® Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The installed PV panels are Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver, which may provide Toyota a significant advantage toward reaching that goal. SunPower is the only solar panel manufacturer in the world to achieve this certification.
As a result of 14 years of partnership, SunPower solar power systems are currently operating at a number of Toyota facilities in the U.S. for example the facility in West Caldwell (New Jersey) and Toyota's South Campus headquarters building in Torrance (California).
The project in Plano is financed through a power purchase agreement (PPA) arranged by SunPower, which allows Toyota to buy power at competitive rates.
Philipp Kronsbein / SunPower
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