Apr 15 2009
One of the largest ground-mounted solar tracking systems built in a corporate setting is now powering energy to the world headquarters of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK).
With construction complete, nearly 7,000 moving solar panels are tracking the sun to generate 2.5 million kilowatt hours of energy per year.
"Supporting the use of clean, reliable solar power is good for our environment and makes good business sense," said Merck Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Richard T. Clark. "This project is consistent with Merck's 'going green' efforts to reduce our environmental footprint and to promote greater efficiency in our use of natural resources."
"I applaud Merck's responsible environmental efforts," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "New Jersey has one of the strongest solar programs in the nation and this private sector project is a fine complement to our own energy master plan initiatives that are securing and strengthening the Garden State's energy future."
Through novel arrangements that are making the installation of large solar systems more feasible, the system at Merck is owned and operated by Dome-Tech, Inc., a subsidiary of Carrier Corporation, a unit of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), which will supply solar power to Merck under a 20-year purchase agreement. The project was made possible through financial initiatives offered under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, tax credits issued by the U.S. Federal Solar and Renewables Tax Credit Program, and support from the Readington Township (N.J.) Planning Board.
Erv Lauterbach, President, Carrier Building Systems and Services North America Field Operations, added, "At Carrier and Dome-Tech, we applaud companies like Merck that take a comprehensive approach, combining energy conservation with renewable energy sources to help minimize climate change."