Volvo Goes Solar at Hagerstown Powertrain Plant
Volvo Group North America has installed 5,000 solar panels at its Hagerstown, Maryland, powertrain manufacturing plant.
The company erected a canopy of solar panels above its parking lot to generate about 1.3 megawatts, enough power for 200 homes, and protect vehicles from the weather.
“The solar canopy is a great example of the importance the Volvo Group places on environmental care, which has been one of our core values for many years,” Pierre Jenny, Volvo Group vice president of powertrain production, said in a statement.
“We’re now able to convert energy from the sun into clean electricity to help power some of our operations,” Jenny said.
Electricity generated from the canopy will be delivered directly to the facility to help offset the plant’s power needs.
The solar panels are part of a continuing effort by the plant to improve energy efficiency, according to Volvo. Late last year, the plant was named a Superior Energy Performance Platinum-Certified partner by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Volvo said the plant also participates in DOE’s Better Building, Better Plants program to reduce the facility’s energy intensity by 25% over a 10-year period.
