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BT 'Goes Solar' at North American Headquarters
Company also Launches Employee Residential Solar Program
BT has completed the installation of a 2,862-module, 601kW-DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company's North American headquarters location in the city of El Segundo, CA. The installation - among the largest systems of its kind in Southern California - will produce between 15-20% of BT's current energy needs for the El Segundo offices and data center.
BT expects to generate approximately one million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, renewable electricity and reduce carbon emissions by 700,000 pounds (more than 316 metric tons) annually as well as decrease its overall power costs for the site in future years, helping the company fulfill its global goals for sustainability.
"'Going solar' offers us significant business advantages, including cost savings and a positive impact on our sustainability goals, all of which affect BT's bottom line," said Michael Boustridge, CEO, BT Americas & Asia/Pacific. "We have a strong commitment to using green technology and finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint and, working with our partners Solar Power Partners and Suntech Energy Solutions, we are excited to model this for other organizations."
BT's solar system in El Segundo features an innovative solar power tracking system from RayTracker, Inc. The tracking system enables the solar panels, which are mounted on an elevated structure in the parking lot, to move during the day to track the sun, thereby maximizing energy production during peak hours when rates are highest. For the project, BT worked with Solar Power Partners, which arranged for financing and provided engineering and construction oversight for the investors. Solar Power Partners, which now owns and operates the system, sells the solar-generated electricity to BT under a power purchase agreement. Suntech Energy Solutions designed and installed the system, working as a sub-contractor to Solar Power Partners. Broadreach Capital Partners, the site's owner, has also been a key participant in BT's efforts to bring renewable energy to its North American headquarters location.
"With all the parties involved, this project required a high degree of project management," said Jon Reiter, Senior Director, Major Transactions, BT Americas, "but we believe the outcome has been very successful. It's been a true team effort."
In addition to incorporating use of solar energy to power its corporate facilities, the company has also recently launched a program to make it easier for interested employees to investigate and possibly pursue solar energy for their own homes.
"BT wants to play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions generated by both businesses and individuals," said Kevin Moss, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, BT Americas. "In addition to reducing our own emissions and influencing suppliers and customers to do the same, we are encouraging our employees to reduce their personal carbon footprints and help them influence others in their local communities."
The company has arrangements in place with two vendors to help employees who are interested in installing solar systems in their homes. Both vendors will provide surveys to assist employees identify their requirements, offer price quotes and a corporate discount to employees as well as provide a range of financing options and turnkey design and installation services. BT assists employees who are interested in investigating a solar installation to make informed decisions by offering online resources and organizing monthly teleconference sessions where employees exchange experiences with other participants in the program, allowing them to learn from each other's knowledge.
In response to the challenges of climate change, BT has reduced its carbon emissions by 60% since 1996 and has aggressive targets to reduce them by 80% globally by 2020 through a combination of energy reduction and renewable energy initiatives.
BT won a SoCal Environmental Excellence Development (SEED) award for its solar installation. For information about the award, see BT awards and praise in this issue of Global Telecom News.
About BT
BT is one of the worl''s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
BT Global Telecom Markets (GTM) is the carrier services division of BT Global Services. It serves communication providers, carriers and telecom operators around the world to enable their success in a constantly changing world. GTM positions itself as a 21st century provider of capacity and capabilities. While continuing to provide traditional premium wholesale solutions, it also offers Enhanced Platform Solutions and Network and Business Transformation backed by the offerings of BT Telconsult, GTM's dedicated consulting unit.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
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