North Face Goes Solar
San Leandro, Calif.–based The North Face is installing a 1 million-watt solar-electricity system at its West Coast distribution center in Visalia, Calif.
The company has enlisted Pasadena, Calif.–based EI Solutions to design, build and install the system, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
San Francisco–based Recurrent Energy will finance and operate the system and then sell the electricity to The North Face. EI Solutions’ plan is to build the system over a storm-water retention area, which provides a sound buffer between adjacent businesses and eliminates the need for a separate draining system.
The system includes 5,445 photovoltaic panels, which will be managed by a device that tracks the sun’s rays and moves the panels into the sun’s path for maximum efficiency.
The new ground-mounted system will be located adjacent to The North Face parent company VF Corp.’ s 800,000-square-foot distribution center.
The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1,300 metric tons annually, which is equivalent to removing close to 250 automobiles from operation for one year or preserving more than 11 acres of forest. Other apparel companies, including Timberland and American Apparel, are planning solar electricity systems at their California facilities. —Robert McAllister
