Timberland’s 429,000 square-foot Ontario distribution center in Southern California is going solar with a 400 kW PV system.
Northern Power Systems, a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp (Nasdaq: DESC) has entered into an agreement to design, engineer and construct the system. The 401.8 kW system will be installed on a new “TruckPort” steel mounting structure next to Timberland’s warehouse, leveraging an unused area of the facility’s truck yard by providing storage space for the facility as well as shaded parking for employees. A total of 1,960 PV modules will be mounted on the structure in strings of 14 each. The high-efficiency modules and inverters are expected to produce almost 60% of the facility’s electrical load.
Also included in the design of the project will be Northern Power’s “SmartView” remote monitoring software technology, allowing Timberland to manage and report on the site’s power production in real time from any location via the Internet.
The timing of the system installation is expected to maximize available incentives under California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program, offering Timberland a rebate of over $1.5 million.
Northern Power’s COO Darren Jamison was enthusiastic about the contract. “This installation will be one of the largest commercial solar projects in California’s history. Implementing a system of this scope for a company with such a reputation for social and corporate responsibility is tremendously inspiring for all of us.”