Solar | Page 118

Grand Rapids, Mich., city officials are evaluating solar projects to help them meet their 2025 goal of generating all of their power from renewable energy sources, including one at the former Butterworth Landfill.

Amazon has installed a solar array on the roof of its 855,000-square-foot Fulfillment Center in Thornton, Colorado, making it the largest single solar system in the state. The solar array, featuring more than 17,000 panels on 19 acres, can generate almost 80% of the facility’s annual energy needs.

Fifth Third Bancorp of Cincinnati is now on its way to realizing its goal of powering its operations with 100% renewable energy and meeting its environmental sustainability goals two years ahead of schedule. The company's Aulander Holloman SolarFacility in Hertford County, NC, announced in March 2018, is now open and is expected to generate enough clean energy to equal or even exceed the company’s power needs for a year.

The Detroit Zoo will use only Michigan-made renewable energy by late 2020. The energy, purchased through DTE Energy's MIGreenPower program via three new wind parks coming online next year, will reduce carbon dioxide by 7,425 metric tons.

Denver-based Ardent Mills, a flour-milling and ingredient company, has finalized a 25-year agreement with US Solar to purchase an expected 1.8 million kWh annually. This energy partnership is a subscription plan that will reduce energy costs at the company’s Hastings Mill, the first operating mill in Minnesota.

Are you using everything in your power to stay competitive in your market? This column from FSC Lighting shows that improving your company’s energy efficiency doesn’t just reduce overall energy costs—it can also help you edge out the competition, keeping you ahead of rapidly evolving technologies and saving money that you can allocate to various growth initiatives.