World’s Largest Rooftop Solar Panel
Falken, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI), is constructing the world’s largest rooftop solar panel installation on a single facility at the SRI factory in Thailand. The installation, measuring 100,000 square metres, equivalent to over 18 football pitches, comprises 40,000 solar panels with a combined output of 22MW. It is set to be completed by January 2025 and will generate solar power to manufacture Falken tyres for Europe. The installation will also help reduce total annual CO2 emissions by 38,000 tonnes.
The project is part of SRI’s long-term sustainability policy, ‘Driving Our Future Challenge 2050’, which aims to reduce annual Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 50% compared to 2017 emissions. With the latest initiatives, the 2030 target of the policy is now set to be achievable one year ahead of schedule.
Installation and Features
The solar panel installation will be the largest world’s rooftop solar panel array installed at a single facility as of February 1, 2023, according to internal KEPCO research. The installation consists of 40,000 solar panels with a combined output of 22MW, and it covers an area of 100,000 square metres, equivalent to over 18 football pitches. The solar power generated by the installation will support the manufacturing of Falken tyres for Europe.
Additionally, the facility has adopted a gas co-generation system, consisting of two 6.6MW boilers powered by renewable energy sources. The system will replace energy supplied by local utility companies, further reducing the facility’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources. The facility will also adopt a biomass electric power system, where biomass obtained from surplus branches and trunks after rubber trees are harvested will provide additional electrical power.
Reduction of Carbon Footprint
The new initiatives, comprising the rooftop solar panel installation, gas co-generation system, and biomass electric power system, will enable the facility to use 100% renewable energy ultimately. The installation is expected to reduce total annual CO2 emissions by 38,000 tonnes, contributing to the reduction of the facility’s carbon footprint.
Driving Sustainable Development
SRI’s long-term sustainability policy, ‘Driving Our Future Challenge 2050,’ aims to contribute to sustainable development by reducing CO2 emissions. With the latest initiatives, SRI will accelerate its carbon-neutral goals and strive to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% compared to 2017 emissions. The initiatives will promote the practice of MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) and advanced decarbonization technologies in developing countries, contributing to the achievement of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by Japan and other partner countries through JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism).
Conclusion
Falken’s new solar panel installation will be the largest in the world on a single facility, covering an area of 100,000 square metres, equivalent to over 18 football pitches. The installation will consist of 40,000 solar panels with a combined output of 22MW and will generate solar power to manufacture Falken tyres for Europe. The facility has also adopted a gas co-generation system and a biomass electric power system, enabling it to use 100% renewable energy ultimately. These initiatives will help reduce total annual CO2 emissions by 38,000 tonnes, contributing to the facility’s carbon-neutral goals and promoting sustainable development.
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