New Parking Lot Solar Array to Offset More than 95% of Power Consumption, Feature Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
PLYMOUTH, Mass.: Comcast today announced the completion of a 1,170-panel carport solar installation that will help power its regional call center at 35 Resnik Road in Plymouth. The system will generate enough onsite clean energy – as much as 600,000 kilowatt hours of power annually, or the equivalent of 60 homes’ worth of electricity – to offset more than 95% of the facility’s annual energy consumption.
Comcast worked with solar energy company, Sunpower, to install the parking lot-based solar array, also enabling the installation of two dual-port electric vehicle (EV) charging stations beneath the solar panel canopy, with the ability to charge four vehicles simultaneously. The system provides the added benefit of providing covered parking spots for employees during inclement and hot weather conditions.
Leading up to the solar system installation, Comcast converted its Plymouth facility to LED lighting, as it has done at numerous New England sites. This holistic approach to energy management delivered increased efficiency and eliminated more than 200,000 kilowatt hours of power usage annually at Plymouth.
“Technology, innovation and talent are at the core of everything Comcast does, and generating clean energy on site at our Plymouth facility demonstrates our commitment to a culture of sustainability to promote a cleaner, healthier environment,” said Tracy Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Greater Boston Region.
The Greater Boston Region serves customers throughout eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
Ken Tavares, Chairman of the Plymouth Board of Selectmen added, “I commend Comcast for its focus on sustainable technology. I hope this investment in clean energy will provide inspiration to others and give them the push they need to dedicate resources to sustainability in our community.”
The Plymouth solar project is the latest in an ongoing series of sustainability efforts implemented in Comcast’s New England footprint. Just a few examples include upgrading to high-efficiency equipment and cooling systems in data centers and installation of LED lights and fixtures at dozens of its largest offices and call centers including Manchester and Hudson locations in New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts facilities in Chelmsford, Malden, and Plymouth. Also, five EV charging station sites have been installed across the area with more planned for 2019, and the company is expanding its use of single-stream recycling and kitchen waste composting.
“Our sustainability efforts also touch the products and experiences we offer our customers,” added Pitcher. “We have made it a priority to provide the most innovative services in the home and extend energy efficiency options as an added benefit.”
For example, the company’s X1 platform enables customers to say “Go Green” into their voice remotes, leading them to a settings menu that launches a power-saving mode to power down the TV box when not in use. This helps customers reduce their energy consumption and saves money on their utility bills.
Sustainability has also guided digital services like the Xfinity My Account app, which can eliminate an unnecessary technician visit, and EcoBill, which lets customers view and pay their bills online — from the app or the Web portal, found here. Opting to forgo a paper statement in the mail every month is a free, easy and secure way to be environmentally friendly. Comcast’s EcoBill program conserves more than 84 million sheets of paper and 137 million envelopes on an annual basis.
Learn more about Comcast’s commitment to sustainability here.
About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
Source: Comcast
