Danish wind energy giant Vestas is determined to make its new US headquarters, currently under construction in the the renewable energy mecca of Portland, Oregon, as green as possible by installing the city’s largest rooftop solar power system on the 102-year-old Meier & Frank Depot building.
SolarWorld, a major manufacturer of solar technology in the USA and also based in Oregon, will supply the solar panels used in the 112 kilowatt (KW) photovoltaic system. The solar array will power around 12 percent of the building’s electricity needs.
Once completed, Vestas hopes their new home base complies with Portland’s coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification, awarded to buildings which meet the strictest energy efficiency and green standards.
SolarWorld said in a statement that, “the move links two of the top U.S. producers of renewable energy systems and underscores the companies’ confidence in the vitality of American manufacturing and the value of sustainability.”
City of Portland Mayor, Sam Adams said welcomed the venture which would help cement his city’s place as a renewable energy hub in the USA.
“As Portland seeks to become the capital of the global green economy, collaborations among our leading clean energy firms are key. It’s an excellent example of how two companies can come together and make something great happen in Portland.”
Both companies boast impressive sales and employment figures in their respective fields.
Vestas has installed more than 43,000 wind turbines in 66 countries on six continents, generating more than 90 million megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy per year. The company employs 3000 people in America and 20,000 worldwide.
SolarWorld employs 3,600 people and manufactures solar products all along the photovoltaic chain, from conversion of raw silicon to PV cells and wafers, to roof-top solar kits and stand-alone systems.
