Surely, no one can argue that Porsche makes some of the best sports cars around. Indeed, they create some of the most fuel-friendly cars too, including some that reach 30+ miles per gallon, which you have to admit is not so bad considering the Bentley GTC gets a disappointing 7 miles per gallon, a la the LA Time’s Dan Neil.
Porsche has, however decided to go one step further for its Canadian facility, now employing solar power on the roof.
ONTARIO, Calif. — March 19, 2009 – Executives from Porsche Cars North
America (PCNA) were joined today by Ontario, California Mayor Paul S. Leon
along with representatives from HelioPower and Sharp Solar Energy Solutions
Group to unveil an 80 kW urban solar power array at the Porsche Logistics, LLC
facility in Ontario, the first solar power system deployed at any of its U.S.
locations.The solar power system was designed and installed by HelioPower at 5100 E.
Ontario Mills Parkway , using 372 solar modules from Sharp and will produce
135,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year. This commercial-
scale solar power system will avoid the emission of more than 50,000 pounds of
carbon dioxide annually. It represents one of the more significant solar installs in
the Ontario metro area.“Environmental protection has long been an objective at Porsche – one that we
take very seriously,” said Porsche Cars North America Vice President of
Aftersales, Tim Quinn. “Employing solar power at our Ontario facility is in keeping
with our goal of being good environmental stewards in communities where we
have a presence. We’re also very pleased to be supportive of the City of Ontario
and the Inland Empire’s Green Valley Initiative, which is focused on establishing
this region as a hub for clean technologies.”
A Commitment to Environmental Responsibility
On a broader scale, protecting the environment is one of the key corporate
objectives at PCNA’s parent company in Germany, Porsche AG, where specific
environmental policy and environmental management systems have been in
place for many years. For example, a successful waste-management system
was implemented nearly two decades ago with 99 percent of all waste being
recycled at the company’s production facilities. Just as importantly, Porsche cars
are built from the start to conserve resources for later generations, with 85
percent of their content being completely recyclable. From development to after-
sale service, it is a key objective of Porsche AG to minimize resource
consumption and keep environmental impact as low as possible.
In keeping with this policy, over the past 15 years, Porsche has made successful
changes and undertook a concerted effort to reduce fuel consumption in its
vehicles—a commitment that has yielded 1.7 percent less C02 emissions
annually. By 2012, average fuel consumption – and thereby the CO2 emissions
of all Porsche models – will be reduced by up to 20 percent. Additionally, all
Porsche models since the 2007 model year have been certified to LEVII Low
Emissions Vehicles or better, with the Boxster and Cayenne S models achieving
Ultra Low Emissions certification status.
On the important alternative power front, Porsche has announced plans to offer
a Cayenne with a hybrid engine that will reduce fuel consumption by up to 25
percent when compared to a gas powered version. This same highly advanced
hybrid powerplant will also become available in Porsche’s upcoming Panamera
model—a sporty Gran Turismo with four doors and four passenger seats.
The environmentally-conscious initiatives extend from the company’s
manufacturing facilities to PCNA’s Atlanta-based headquarters and other U.S.
facilities. PCNA implemented the “Green Choice” program giving employees the
motivation and proper tools to make smart and simple environmentally-friendly
choices. Among the continuous efforts, a company-wide recycling program was
put into operation in 2007 to include paper, magazines, books, cans, cardboard
and glass along with the discontinued use of any Styrofoam products. Energy
efficiency is another key component of the program with the installation of energy
efficient light bulbs and low flow aerators in all restroom faucets.
This summer PCNA will open a new Northeast Regional Support Center in
Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley that will receive a Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building
Council. LEED certification is an environmental award that recognizes the
construction and performance of buildings that meet strict environmentally
sensitive criteria which includes site sustainability and efficient use of resources.
Other factors such as the building’s indoor atmospheric quality and innovative
environmental design also are considered.