Toyota Installs Largest On-Site Corporate Solar Array in Texas

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U.S. based solar company SunPower announced in October that it had completed in under six months the installation of a 8.79 megawatt solar system spanning across four parking garages at Toyota Motor North America‘s new 100-acre headquarters in Plano, Texas. SunPower was also responsible for the original design of the solar system.

The solar installation marks an important step toward meeting Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050, which aims to eliminate carbon emissions in the company’s operations. Toyota demonstrates an increasing trend of growing renewable energy investment among corporations, as reaffirmed by an Apex Clean Energy and GreenBiz 2017 State of Corporate Renewable Energy Procurement report. According to the report, 84 percent of large corporate respondents plan to be active in the renewable energy market within the next decade to meet sustainability goals.

In an effort to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC), Toyota designed its campus for sustainability, focusing on energy planning for emissions reduction, sustainable landscaping and repurposed rain water for water conservation, and recycling.

To meet its goals in energy planning, Toyota selected SunPower to install more than 20,000 of its high-efficiency E-Series solar panels that produce 30 percent more energy from the same space over the first 25 years when compared to conventional solar panels.

At 8.79 megawatts, Toyota’s system is the Lone Star State’s largest corporate office on-site solar installation among non-utility companies, and Toyota’s fourth solar project completed with SunPower.

Texas solar contractor, Axium Solar installed over 20,000 Sunpower solar panels and 261 string inverters. This system will help the new campus located in Plano, TX offset an estimated 30% of their annual energy need.

Marc Gordon, Director of National Accounts, SunPower said:

“Axium was a major contributor to the project success. I want to commend the entire team you had working on the project”.

Nam Nguyen, SunPower executive vice president  said:

“Toyota’s new campus serves as a model for corporate sustainability and an inspiration for others looking to reduce their own carbon emissions and environmental footprints. With SunPower’s carport solutions, our experienced design and construction teams delivered long-span, garage top solar canopies that fully incorporate the Plano site’s unique structural conditions. As the trusted solar partner for 70 percent of the top 20 commercial solar users nationwide, SunPower is proud to work with a world-class company like Toyota on this groundbreaking project.”

Doug Beebe, general manager of Toyota’s real estate and facilities/corporate security and fire services for North America said:

“At Toyota, we demonstrate our commitment to sustainability, our culture of respect, and continuous improvement in everything that we do, whether its designing a new car or our new campus. Thanks in part to SunPower and their products and capabilities, Toyota’s headquarters campus achieved LEED Platinum certification – something that we know our team and community are proud of.”

Source: Press Release by SunPower & Axium Solar. Photo: © Toyota.

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