DuPont Becomes World's First Thin Film Solar Module Manufacturer To Earn LEED Gold Rating
Superior Environmental Standards at DuPont Apollo Reinforce Commitment to Sustainability
DuPont, through its wholly owned subsidiary DuPont Apollo, recently announced that its Shenzhen, China, production facility has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance (EB: O&M) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). According to USGBC records, the facility is the first LEED certified thin-film photovoltaic module production facility and the first LEED-EB certified photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in the world to receive this accreditation. The gold certification is the latest recognition for DuPont Apollo's environmental initiatives and is consistent with the DuPont goal to help reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels. DuPont Apollo specializes in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic solar modules.
"We believe that DuPont Apollo thin-film solar modules should come from a facility designed with environmental responsibility in mind," said David Chu, chief executive officer -- DuPont Apollo. "We are very pleased to know that our efforts to maximize energy efficiencies in the daily operation of our production facility were recognized by USGBC, and we hope this is one of a number of actions by DuPont Apollo that sets an important example for other businesses. Thinking globally and acting locally to affect positive environmental change helps create a healthier working environment for our employees and the larger community, and becomes a principle that is key to continued, sustainable growth and to reducing dependence on fossil fuels."
LEED gold certification represents one of the highest levels of environmental achievement within the LEED program, an internationally recognized green building certification system to evaluate the environmental performance of a building or a neighborhood development.
The DuPont Apollo manufacturing facility in Guangming New District, Shenzhen, has a number of environmentally advanced features which enabled the company to win the LEED gold rating. The most notable of all is on its rooftop – a 1.3MW solar installation made up of amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules produced by the plant, which generates approximately 1.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean electricity to support the facility's daily operation and offsets about 1,480 tons of CO2 emission annually. Other features of the facility include an upgraded humidifier in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to improve overall energy efficiency and air quality, a water-saving feature, a sustainable procurement plan to source materials and supplies locally and an EnergyStar solid waste management system. The facility recycles wherever possible, and arranges transport for employees to meet their daily commuting needs, saving considerable energy and resources to enhance a more environmentally responsible working environment.
In addition to its LEED Gold certification, DuPont Apollo is International Electrotechnical Commission Quality (IECQ) QC 080000 certified, in recognition of the company's hazardous substance process management. The company also is a member of PV Cycle, a European association engaged in setting up voluntary take-back and recycling programs for end-of-life photovoltaic modules.
"DuPont Apollo is quickly becoming a pioneer in the photovoltaic industry, committed to environmental stewardship," added Chu.
Incorporated in early 2008 in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, DuPont Apollo is a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont specializing in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic modules. For more information, please visit http://www.apollo.dupont.com.
DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals more than 20 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.
About DuPont
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries and regions, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation. For more information, visit www.dupont.com.
SOURCE: DuPont