Jul 7 2008
Owens Corning announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Sun Edison LLC to provide solar-generated energy through the installation and operation of a 206 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of its Gresham, Ore. facility. The facility's solar PV system is scheduled to be installed and operating by the fourth quarter of 2008.
A solar PV system uses solar panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, by using just two kilowatts of PV capacity, a person can reduce carbon dioxide emissions equal to those emitted by driving 6,200 miles in a car. The company is also installing a solar PV system at its Kearny, N.J. roofing facility.
"Using renewable sources of energy is another way Owens Corning is leading in energy efficiency and sustainability," said Frank O'Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer. "The insulation products produced in Gresham will provide an answer to the world's need for the most cost-effective technologies that reduce fossil fuel consumption. The energy saved with insulation is the cheapest and most sustainable energy available because it is energy that will never be used. With this solar technology, we'll use a renewable resource to generate a sustainable product."
Owens Corning is working toward a July 2009 start up of foam insulation production at the Gresham, Ore. facility. All activities are currently on schedule to meet that target.