Vacaville biopharm plant gets 1MW solar array

Vacaville biopharm plant gets 1MW solar array
Sacramento Business Journal - by Melanie Turner Staff writer
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 2:47pm PDT

Swiss drug maker Novartis AG has completed a 1 megawatt solar array that will supply 20 percent of the electrical needs for its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Vacaville, the company announced Wednesday.

The $7 million, five-acre power plant is the group’s single largest solar energy investment. It more than triples the total solar power generated by Novartis (NYSE: NVS) facilities worldwide. The Vacaville power plant is one of five solar projects Novartis has completed around the world.

“Today’s dedication signals our continued commitment to the environment and to initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. (Environmental Protection Agency) Climate Leaders Program and our own U.S. energy program.”

The Novartis solar system eliminates the production of more than 1,400 metric tons of greenhouse gases a year, according to the company. A first phase, 30-kilowatt parking canopy was completed last December. The larger 970-kilowatt array was up and running in mid-September, a month ahead of schedule, the company said.