August 31, 2005—FedEx Corp. has activated California’s largest corporate solar-power installation during a dedication ceremony at its hub at Oakland International Airport.
The solar-power installation will fuel 80 percent of the hub facility’s energy needs, substituting. At peak output, the system will produce the equivalent of power used by more than 900 homes during the daytime. In addition to generating electricity, the solar panels help insulate the buildings, reducing heating and cooling costs, says FedEx.
During periods when the energy generated by the system is greater than is needed to power the facility, the surplus energy will be transferred into the utility grid for general use, says the company.
Berkeley-based PowerLight Corporation, a leading manufacturer and supplier of large-scale solar electric systems and energy efficiency services designed and built the system.
To power the facility, FedEx Express flew more than 300,000 Sharp solar cells from Japan to a Sharp facility in Memphis, where they were installed into 5,769 photovoltaic modules that convert sunlight directly into electricity. The 904-kilowatt system encompasses virtually the entire 81,000 square foot area of roof across the facility’s two buildings.
For more information, visit the company Web site.
