Toray Plastics (America) To Build $2 million Solar Field

Published: January 05, 2011

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI | Toray Plastics (America), a US manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications, has announced plans to begin construction in the second quarter of 2011 on a $2 million 446 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) field on its 70-acre campus in North Kingstown, RI. The new solar field will occupy approximately three acres, consist of 1,650 PV panels with utility-scale single-access trackers, and be the largest solar-powered system in the state.

Toray estimates that the efficient clean-energy system, which is designed to produce a higher-energy output when compared with conventional fixed-mounted PV panels, will generate 625 MW h/yr, help curb escalating energy costs, and reduce CO2 emissions by 340 tons/yr. Funding for the solar field will come from Toray, grants and loans from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp.’s Renewable Energy fund, and state and federal grants made possible by the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Construction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2011.

In 2004 Toray launched a comprehensive sustainability initiative, which has greatly improved its environmental profile and now saves the company 29 million gal of water, 8.5 million KW h of electricity, and 10.1 billion BTUs annually. Operational innovations have also contributed to zero landfill waste. In addition, the company’s rigorous recycling program saves 285 tons of wood, 152 tons of metal, 59 tons of cardboard, and 46 tons of paper, bottles, and cans annually.