Pilkington North America, Inc. is going solar, thanks to a new one-acre solar
array project currently under construction at its research and development
center in Northwood.
NORTHWOOD, Ohio - Pilkington North
America, Inc. is going solar, thanks to a new one-acre solar array project
currently under construction at its research and development center in
Northwood. Hull & Associates, Inc. has partnered with Pilkington North
America, Inc. to develop and install a 250 kW ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic
energy facility on a brownfield site originating from the company’s former
East Toledo float plant. This solar energy
facility will be the largest private sector, behind-the–meter, renewable energy
project in Ohio.
“This project highlights the NSG Group’s
commitment to responsible stewardship and the solar energy market both locally
and around the world,” said environmental manager Cliff
Fleener.
The development will use solar panels
incorporating the NSG Group’s solar energy glass products, supplied by First
Solar. The Pilkington brand name has been closely associated with the
development and production of glass products since its founding in 1826. Its
acquisition by Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. in 2006 has added to its resources
and commitment to quality and excellence, as well as its expertise in on-line
coating technology used for the production of glass used in solar applications.
Today the combined company, the NSG Group, is the worldwide leader of high
quality, high volume solar energy glass products, with manufacturing sites all
over the world. The Northwood solar energy facility will supply approximately 12
percent of its power requirements, while reducing annual electric consumption
and greenhouse gas emissions. The
new solar facility is expected to be fully operational by the beginning of
February.
The project is being managed by Hull Energy, LLC, a newly formed
renewable energy project development and asset management
company. An affiliate of Hull, Hull Energy has been established to
develop, operate and own renewable energy projects for municipal, commercial and
industrial clients.
Development of the $1.5 million solar energy
project was partially supported by a $680,782 grant from the Ohio Energy Office
through theAmerican
Recovery and Reinvestment Act’sState Energy Program.
Pilkington North America, Inc. Research and Development Facility Goes Solar