Cummins installs large solar array at North Carolina facility

CumminsThe second largest installation has been completed at the Rocky Mountain Engine Plant (RMEP) in North Carolina.Solar energyBattery array。

The RMEP solar installation will utilise low-carbonrenewable energyReduce greenhouse gases, directly supporting the company's environmental initiatives.Sustainable DevelopmentStrategy “PLANET 2050”.

As part of the 2030 targets outlined in PLANET 2050, this strategy calls for a 50% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions from facilities and operations. The RMEP solar array and increased use of renewable energy will significantly aid our progress towards this objective, enabling us to achieve net-zero emissions throughout the entire process.

This mid-range establishmentdieselThe natural gas engine plant manufactures engines for over 500 clients and is a major employer in Nash County, employing more than 1,800 people. This 3.62-megawatt solar power plant, spanning 14 acres, feeds electricity directly into the factory, reducing its commercialEnergyRequirement.

This solar installation will generate approximately 5.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, producing over 136 million kilowatt-hours over its 25-year lifespan. Each year, the solar facility will sequester the carbon equivalent of 4,862 acres of forest, roughly equivalent to the area occupied by Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

The unique feature of the RMEP lies in its use of solar tracking panels. The system incorporates a single-axis tracker, enabling the panels to follow the sun's path as it rises and sets. This enhances the system'sefficiencyWithout the need to install additional panels. Given the available space for this project, the system size was maximised to achieve optimal exposure, hence the tracking panels were mounted on the ground.

The solar panel array was installed by RMEP Engineering and the Corporate Environment Team to reduce purchased electricity consumption.

Source: Cummins