Abbott Builds "Green" With New Solar Panel Project in Germany
It all started with a roof in need of repair atop the Abbott Diagnostics
Wiesbaden-Delkenheim site's warehouse building. Replacing the roof provided the
perfect opportunity to install an alternative form of energy in the form of
lightweight solar panels built into the roof membrane. The project, Abbott's
first major solar power installation, became fully functional in mid-October of
last year. Solar panels capture the sun's energy and offer a "green"
solution to keep energy expenses down while reducing carbon dioxide emissions,
which are commonly linked to global warming.
Funded through the Abbott Global Environmental, Health and Safety (GEHS)
Non-Financial Waste Reduction Fund, it is estimated that this 64-panel system
will provide more than 21,000 kilowatt-hours AC per year. That equals enough
energy to light 22 homes continuously for a year. In addition, the solar panel
installation will reduce approximately 19 metric tons of carbon dioxide
emissions per year.
A total of 64 solar panels were integrated into the new roof.
In Germany, new regulations for regenerative electricity guarantee financial
credit for solar projects completed by the end of 2006. This means that the
site will receive an annual energy bill credit worth US$14,200 (€11,100) for
the next 20 years.
This project has earned the Wiesbaden site public recognition by the local
ECOPROFIT® environmental program. A worldwide partnership program between
government and local businesses, ECOPROFIT® aims to reduce industrial
environmental impacts by introducing innovative and environmentally-friendly
technologies.
Global and division EHS engineers across Abbott are integrating "green
engineering" technologies into building renovations as well as in the
design of new buildings.
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