ProLogis, A. Duie Pyle start solar projects
New solar projects announced this week by ProLogis and A. Duie Pyle are the latest examples of interest by warehouse operators to take advantage of their flat roof space to reduce energy costs and use of non-renewable fuels.
ProLogis, a global warehouse provider, said it has started the second phase of its 100-megawatt solar project with Southern California Edison (SCE), after signing new leases for roof space totaling 4.8 million square feet and a system totaling about 25 megawatts.
In May 2010, ProLogis signed a master agreement with SCE, the largest electric utility in California, to provide up to 100 megawatts of photovoltaic installations to the utility through its rooftop solar program.
“With these projects underway, we have now doubled our global renewable energy portfolio from 25 MW to approximately 50 MW,” said Drew Torbin, ProLogis' vice president of renewable energy.
ProLogis’ solar energy output with SCE now totals 38 megawatts, which includes installations from the first phase of the master agreement as well as a pilot project completed in 2008.
As with prior projects between the two companies, SCE will own and operate the system, and all generated power will feed directly into the utility’s electrical system to serve its customers. ProLogis will act as the site host and provide development management services. Construction is expected to commence this fall.
ProLogis now has solar projects installed or under construction on 41 buildings throughout France, Germany, Japan, Spain and the United States, totaling 50 megawatts of generating capacity. The company has more than 450 million square feet (42 million square meters) of roof space worldwide available for photovoltaic installations.
A. Duie Pyle, a trucking and logistics provider serving the Northeast, said it plans to complete its first large-scale solar system on a 570,000-square foot facility in Parkesburg, Pa., in December.
The installation will cover half of the rooftop and generate one megawatt of energy, enough to power the entire facility. A. Duie Pyle operates the warehouse for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.
The company’s Parkesburg solar installation is one of 40 energy projects this year to receive a state grant through the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA), with Pyle receiving $450,000. Additional economic incentives under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which allows owners of commercial solar property to recover 30 percent of the cost of their system, were also available to the company.
NFI Inc., another large trucking and logistics provider based in New Jersey, is also heavily investing in solar retrofits for some of its warehouses.