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Home | Green Culture | Porsche Unveils Solar Power Installation at Ontario Facility

Porsche Unveils Solar Power Installation at Ontario Facility

19 March, 2009 02:16:00

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Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has unveiled an 80 kW urban solar power array at the Porsche Logistics, LLC facility in Ontario, the first solar power system deployed at any of its U.S. locations.

The solar power system was designed and installed by HelioPower at 5100 E. Ontario Mills Parkway , using 372 solar modules from Sharp and will produce 135,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year. This commercial-scale solar power system will avoid the emission of more than 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. It represents one of the more significant solar installs in the Ontario metro area.

PCNA's new solar panel installation will receive the Inland Empire's Green Valley Initiative (GVI) award, the first ever "Certificate of Recognition" for environmentally sound projects in the region. GVI is a cooperative effort between stakeholders throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties to encourage the growth of local green technology businesses, attract renewable energy businesses, encourage local entrepreneurial efforts, and encourage investment.

Porsche Solar Panel Installation at its Ontario, CA Facility Installed by HelioPower

On a broader scale, protecting the environment is one of the key corporate objectives at PCNA's parent company in Germany, Porsche AG, where specific environmental policy and environmental management systems have been in place for many years.

Porsche AG has implemented a successful waste-management system nearly two decades ago with 99 percent of all waste being recycled at the company's production facilities.

In keeping with this policy, over the past 15 years, Porsche has made successful changes and undertook a concerted effort to reduce fuel consumption in its vehicles--a commitment that has yielded 1.7 percent less C02 emissions annually. By 2012, average fuel consumption -- and thereby the CO2 emissions of all Porsche models -- will be reduced by up to 20 percent. Additionally, all Porsche models since the 2007 model year have been certified to LEVII Low Emissions Vehicles or better, with the Boxster and Cayenne S models achieving Ultra Low Emissions certification status.

On the important alternative power front, Porsche has announced plans to offer a Cayenne with a hybrid engine that will reduce fuel consumption by up to 25 percent when compared to a gas powered version. This same highly advanced hybrid powerplant will also become available in Porsche's upcoming Panamera model--a sporty Gran Turismo with four doors and four passenger seats.

This summer PCNA will open a new Northeast Regional Support Center in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley that will receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification is an environmental award that recognizes the construction and performance of buildings that meet strict environmentally sensitive criteria which includes site sustainability and efficient use of resources. Other factors such as the building's indoor atmospheric quality and innovative environmental design also are considered.

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