The solar-power installation will fuel 80 percent of the hub facility's energy needs, substituting the sun for fossil fuel and other sources of electricity. At peak output, the system will produce the equivalent of power used by more than 900 homes during the daytime. In addition to generating electricity, the solar panels help insulate the buildings, reducing heating and cooling costs.
"The solar-electric system at our Oakland hub powers one of our major FedEx Express hubs, which handles more than 260,000 packages daily and serves as a major gateway for shipments to and from Asia," said
The system will reduce demand on the utility grid and will serve as an additional source of power capacity to benefit businesses and residents of
Berkeley-based PowerLight Corporation, a leading manufacturer and supplier of large-scale solar electric systems and energy efficiency services designed and built the system.
To power the facility, FedEx Express flew more than 300,000 Sharp solar cells from
The solar project is one of many environmental initiatives FedEx has rolled out in recent years. In 2000, FedEx Express became the first company to make a long-term commitment to introduce hybrid-electric delivery trucks into the market. The vehicles were developed in partnership with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corporation. Today, there are more than 18 FedEx Express hybrid-electric vehicles in operation in neighborhoods across
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $29 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 250,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.