Friday, May 13, 2011

Toys “R” Us to install largest-ever rooftop solar power setup

Retailer Toys"R"Us, Inc. announced it plans to add the biggest rooftop solar power installation in North America to its distribution center in Flanders, New Jersey.

Construction of 869,294 square-foot, 5.38-megawatt on-site system is scheduled for completion this summer.

The rooftop setup is estimated to generate 72 percent of the electrical needs for the Toys"R"Us facility, the company said.

"The unprecedented scope of this project furthers our already strong commitment to sustainability in our operations," said Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "New Jersey's leadership in providing renewable, clean energy opportunities for companies has helped pave the way for an installation of this size and underscores the state as a champion for solar energy growth across North America," he said.

This solar power installation will cover close to 70 percent of the distribution center's 1,281,000-square-foot roof and will consist of more than 37,000 ultra lightweight photovoltaic solar panels, the retailer said.

The system is estimated to produce approximately 6,362,000-kilowatt hours of electricity each year.

The company said that generating the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of an estimated 4,387 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent emissions from 860 passenger vehicles or that of the electricity used to power 532 homes annually.

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