ProLogis, the world’s largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities, has entered into a rooftop lease agreement with Southern California Edison (SCE), California’s largest electric utility, as part of its new solar energy program.
In the initial phase of this program, SCE will lease nearly 57,000 square meters of rooftop space at the ProLogis Kaiser Distribution Park in Fontana, California. This space will be used to install and operate solar panels with enough power to supply electricity to 1,426 households for one year. Following the completion of the initial phase—which includes an additional 5 to 10 other installations—planned for the end of 2008, the main stage of the renewable energy project will begin, aiming to install 50 MW of solar capacity annually until reaching a total of 250 MW—the largest installation of this type in the United States. It is expected that individual installations will have a capacity of one to two megawatts.
– This project could be a breakthrough in the field of solar energy utilization. – said Jeffrey H. Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer of ProLogis. – We are excited about the prospect of working with SCE on their first rooftop solar installation and are ready to provide additional rooftop space as the project progresses. The agreement will help us implement our own sustainability strategy and optimize the use of our resources.
All energy generated from the installation will be fed into the local power grid and will help meet the electricity demand in Southern California. As the largest owner and developer of warehouse space in Southern California, ProLogis has the resources necessary to meet SCE’s current needs, and in the future, it is capable of providing vast amounts of rooftop space for the program—the company owns 180 distribution facilities in the area served by SCE, covering nearly 4 million square meters, most of which qualify for the SCE program.
ProLogis is also conducting solar panel projects in Europe with a total capacity of one megawatt (currently in operation or under construction). In France, at ProLogis Park Chanteloup, the company has installed rooftop solar panels generating electricity that is fed back into the French local public grid. In Spain, at ProLogis Park Penedes, the company has installed state-of-the-art amorphous silicon solar panels that produce electricity using a broader spectrum of light than traditional crystalline technology, enabling maximum efficiency.
– Our experience to date in France and Spain shows that we can effectively use rooftop-mounted solar panels to generate green, renewable energy, meeting the needs of local communities while simultaneously increasing the return on investment for our properties. – said Jack Rizzo, managing director of global construction at ProLogis. – Our agreement with SCE is the first of its kind in the United States and lays the foundation for similar programs across the country. With over 46 million square meters of rooftop space worldwide, we see further potential for harnessing solar energy from our roofs.