SKF USA Inc. has entered into an agreement with a nationally recognized solar power contractor to install a rooftop solar array system at the company's U.S. corporate headquarters. The solar-panel system will be integrated atop both buildings on the campus and is scheduled to be fully operational by April 30, 2011. "This latest proactive initiative moves our organization forward significantly in meeting our sustainability goals and realizing positive and measurable benefits from ‘green' operations," says Poul Jeppesen, president and CEO of SKF USA Inc.

According to SKF, the system's 409 kW solar array will account for 30 percent of the total power draw at the site and output is estimated to save 500,000 kWh in the first year alone. As part of its LEED certification, SKF had previously purchased "renewable energy credits" to cover its total electric usage at this facility over the next two years. The SKF solar-panel system will serve both buildings at the site, including the newly designed and constructed 84,000-sq.-ft. three-story main headquarters facility and the 33,000-sq.-ft. refurbished former manufacturing plant. The headquarters formally opened in May 2009.

Partial funding for the solar project is being provided by a $346,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Financing Authority and the system will be installed by Tecta America Corp., headquartered in Chicago, IL. This is the latest "green-related" development at the USA headquarters.  The building recently earned "Platinum" certification for "Commercial Interiors" under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is a nationally accepted authority cultivated by the U.S. Green Building Council.  The prestigious "Platinum" status is the highest possible level of achievement.