A large-scale solar energy installation is being constructed at Planet Aid's warehouse facility in Milford, Massachusetts. When completed, the rooftop system will produce 684,000 kilowatt-hours per year, meeting Planet Aid's energy demands and producing a surplus for others to use.
The array will contribute to Massachusetts achieving its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 15% of 1990 levels by 2020. Approximately 12,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide will be saved, which is equivalent to saving over 1.3 million gallons of gasoline or planting more than 11,000 acres of new forest.
"Planet Aid is dedicated to fighting climate change," said Planet Aid Chief Operating Officer Fred Olsson. "By generating clean renewable energy, we will be helping achieve greater energy independence while supporting green job creation in Massachusetts."
Planet Aid purchased and renovated the formerly unoccupied 136,000 square foot facility in 2013. Planet Aid also remediated soil on the property that had been previously contaminated by former owners' operations.
The warehouse is where unwanted textiles from about 2,000 Planet Aid donation boxes from throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are brought to be unloaded, processed, baled, and sent to buyers for reuse and recycling.
The project is expected to be completed by early next year. Check back for more updates.