Nov 20 2009
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) will today dedicate a 1-megawatt solar power system at its Santa Clara, Calif., headquarters. The system, the largest in the city of Santa Clara, will deliver approximately 7 percent of the site's power needs each year and up to 30 percent during peak sunny hours.
"Agilent has been committed to environmental responsibility for many years," said company president and CEO, Bill Sullivan. "The Santa Clara project is the third solar power installation on an Agilent campus in three years, and supports our environmental goal of conserving resources through clean, renewable solar power."
Sullivan added, "Reduced operating expenses are, of course, an additional and important benefit, with the Santa Clara solar power system expected to save $3.5 million in energy costs over the first ten years of operation."
According to conversion formulas provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Agilent's newest system is expected to displace more than 52 million pounds of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years, equivalent to the emissions displaced by removing more than 4,300 cars from California highways.
While Agilent investigates future commercial solar applications, the company has launched an Employee Solar Program with SunPower to extend its efforts beyond its campus borders -- to its employee base. As part of this program, Agilent employees now have the option to install solar power on their own homes, taking advantage of a special reduced rate through SunPower Premier Dealers. While saving on their monthly electricity bills, Agilent staffers will also play an important role in preserving the environment.
Source: http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/home.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng