The facility is now fitted with as many as 1,222 photovoltaic modules

Apr 1, 2014 19:36 GMT  ·  By
Mazda fits research & development facility in California with photovoltaic modules
   Mazda fits research & development facility in California with photovoltaic modules

Yesterday, Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corporation went public with the news that one of its research and development facilities had taken steps towards improving on its ecological footprint by having part of its electricity demand met by green energy.

Thus, the Japanese automaker says that Mazda North America's research and development facility in Irvine, California, is now fitted with as many as 1,222 photovoltaic modules that make up a 317-kilowatt solar electric system.

Mazda Motor Corporation further details that these photovoltaic modules were provided by Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., and that the company that was in charge of fitting them onto its research and development center was Sun Integration of Sherman Oaks, California.

“We’re pleased to help strengthen the performance of Mazda’s North American Operations by supplying our solar modules, which represent the top quality,” Katsuya Takamiya, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc, said in a statement.

The Japanese automaker goes on to argue that, all things considered, the photovoltaic system that is now part and parcel of said facility in Irving, California will have a lifespan of about 25 years.

During this time, the system is expected to have a clean energy output of over 489,684kWh on a yearly basis. According to estimates, the green power supplied by the system will help keep the equivalent of 18.6 million pounds (roughly 8.43 million kilograms) of carbon dioxide from hitting the atmosphere.

To put things into perspective, it must be said that the aforementioned amount of greenhouse gas emissions would result from burning approximately 19,625 barrels of oil for power, Mazda Motor Corporation explains on its website.

Commenting on this green-oriented initiative, Jim O'Sullivan, the current president and CEO for Mazda North American Operations, said, “Diversifying our energy sources and using them efficiently is part of Mazda’s environmental charter to maintain harmony with nature in our business activities worldwide.”

Needless to say, the photovoltaic company will also help the company cut electricity costs, and this means that the company will have more money to spend on improving the vehicles it makes and markets. As Jim O'Sullivan put it, “In addition, as a result of powering this building with solar, we can direct our utility bill savings toward further investment in automotive research and development.”

According to Mazda Motor Corporation, this solar power project at its research and development facility in Irvine, California, was partly financed by the federal business energy investment tax credit and the California Solar Initiative rebate.