READING, PA — Penske Truck Leasing has unveiled a new solar-powered initiative designed to enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and minimize emissions at select facilities across the United States. The program marks a significant step in the company’s broader strategy to integrate renewable energy solutions into its operations, combining environmental responsibility with economic impact.
The company’s new facility in Channahon, Illinois, serves as the flagship for this initiative. Powered largely by a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar system, the state-of-the-art location now generates approximately 80% of its overall energy needs with an energy capacity of 200 kilowatts (KW). Any additional power required will be supplied by the local utility provider.
Penske is also preparing for solar activations at its Grand Rapids, Michigan, facility later this year, followed by its Linden, New Jersey, location in 2025. Both facilities will adopt similar cutting-edge renewable energy systems and are part of Penske’s commitment to achieving LEED certification for its buildings.
Beyond these new facilities, ambitious plans are underway to retrofit seven additional Penske Truck Leasing locations in California with PV solar systems. These retrofits, managed under a power purchase agreement with Sunrock Distributed Generation, are expected to commence in the next year. The installations—spanning Fresno, Hayward, La Mirada, National City, Riverside, San Diego, and San Leandro—are anticipated to collectively generate around 600 KW of renewable energy.
“Our solar program is an important piece of our renewable energy strategy and ForeFront Power continues to be an outstanding partner in helping us bring these projects to fruition,” said Drew Cullen, senior vice president of fuels and facility services at Penske Truck Leasing. “These investments will allow us to directly generate our own renewable energy to power our locations and continue to support our customers with sustainable solutions.”
ForeFront Power, a San Francisco-based renewable energy provider, has been chosen as the lead project consultant for Penske’s solar initiative. The collaboration aims to implement innovative solutions while maximizing economic and environmental benefits.
Environmental and Economic Impacts
The solar systems being implemented across Penske facilities are designed to deliver substantial environmental benefits. Across four of its solar-powered locations, Penske anticipates generating an estimated 1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy annually. This effort is projected to avoid emissions equivalent to 442 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2e), which is comparable to powering 90 homes for a year.
“The initiative to install solar systems at our locations is a part of our company’s LEED-certified facilities process,” explained Ivet Taneva, vice president of environmental affairs at Penske. “Investing in solar has considerable economic impacts for our operations as well as the environmental benefits of further reducing emissions related to electricity use.”
By incorporating PV solar energy capabilities into its facilities, Penske Truck Leasing reinforces its commitment to developing sustainable practices while offering flexible, forward-thinking solutions for its customers.
The ongoing expansion of this solar initiative not only represents a milestone for Penske but demonstrates the company’s broader dedication to fostering a future where environmental and operational responsibilities align seamlessly.
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