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Sharp Solar Electric System at Patagonia Headquarters

Posted on: Monday, 23 January 2006, 09:00 CST

The Patagonia clothing company is working toward its goal of becoming energy self-sufficient with the installation of a 66.6-kilowatt (kW) Sharp solar electric system at its Ventura, California headquarters. The system, a marriage of beautiful architectural design and environmentally friendly function, incorporates 360 185-watt Sharp panels on three custom-built carports erected in the parking lot. The eye-catching structure produces an amount of energy equivalent to the energy used in approximately 60 California homes during peak usage periods and also shades cars during the day.

"Patagonia demonstrates a strong commitment to the environment through its use of clean energy technologies and with the installation of a solar system, it will now be able to fulfill some of its own power needs," said Ron Kenedi, vice president, Sharp's Solar Energy Solutions Group. "This system will provide twelve percent of the power for its headquarters, while the carports will provide much-appreciated sheltered parking for employees."

Patagonia utilizes various forms of renewable energy, including solar electricity and wind power for its facilities worldwide. In 1996, Patagonia incorporated a 5-kW solar system into its Reno, Nevada distribution center. Realizing that solar is the most viable form of renewable energy when it comes to supporting its corporate energy efficiency goals, Patagonia has plans to expand the system at the Reno facility to produce more energy.

"Our new solar system proves energy independence can be aesthetically pleasing," said Jill Dumain, Patagonia. "Patagonia believes in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis, and our solar solution is just one example of our commitment to that belief."

Sharp is the world's number-one manufacturer of solar cells. Sharp produces more than 400 MW in solar cells annually at manufacturing facilities worldwide, including its plant in Memphis, Tennessee. Sharp began solar assembly operations in Memphis in October 2003 to meet the increasing demand for solar energy in the U.S. The solar manufacturing facility now employs more than 200 people to assemble 162-, 167-, 170-, 175-, 185- and 208-watt solar panels for residential and commercial installations.

Further information on Sharp's commitment to solar energy and its solar product line-up is available on the web at sharpusa.com.

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the Mahwah, N.J.-based marketing and sales subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core technologies that are integral to shaping the next generation of home entertainment products, appliances, networked, multifunctional office solutions, solar energy and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS(R) Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit(TM) digital audio products, SharpVision(R) projection products, Carousel(R) microwaves, IMAGER(TM) digital multifunctional systems, and Notevision(R) multimedia projectors. Sharp Electronics Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people throughout the U.S. supporting more than 50 product lines.

Source: Business Wire

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