TOYS R US TOYS WITH SUN

Toys“R”Us, Inc. Announces Plans to Install North America’s Largest Rooftop Solar Power System at Distribution Center in New Jersey; Upon Completion, the 5.38 Megawatt Structure will Occupy 869,294 Square Feet and Generate 72% of Electricity for the Facility
May 11, 2011 (Toys R Us)

"Toys“R”Us, Inc… plans to add the largest rooftop solar power installation in North America to its distribution center in Flanders, NJ. Staging for the system is currently underway and construction will conclude this summer. Upon completion, the 5.38 megawatt on-site solar mechanism will occupy 869,294 square feet and is estimated to generate 72 percent of the electrical needs for the Toys“R”Us® facility…

"This solar power installation will cover nearly 70% of the distribution center’s 1,281,000-square-foot roof and will consist of more than 37,000 ultra lightweight UNI-SOLAR® brand photovoltaic solar panels, manufactured by United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices. Depending on weather conditions, the system is expected to produce approximately 6,362,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year."

The Toys R Us installation in Flanders, NJ (from Constellation Energy – click to enlarge)

"Generating the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of an estimated 4,387 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent emissions from 860 passenger vehicles or that of the electricity used to power 532 homes annually.

"Constellation Energy…will build, own and maintain the rooftop solar power system. Toys“R”Us will purchase the electricity generated by the system from Constellation Energy through a 20-year power purchase agreement."

The huge solar panel-covered Flanders rooftop (from Google Maps via Martin LaMonica’s Green Tech)

"…The 20-acre rooftop solar installation…utilizes space that would otherwise go unused…The solar power system is comprised of thin-film photovoltaic panels that are flexible, lightweight, durable and maintain performance, even in sub-optimal lighting conditions…[T]he non-ballasted, non-penetrating and removable racking system allows access to the roof and prevents debris build-up and maintenance issues…

"Beyond the solar project in Flanders, NJ, the company is making a number of sustainable upgrades to its existing stores around the country and incorporating renewable and energy efficient features into its new locations…"