Tiffany Dedicates East Coast Solar Project

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 4/23/2007 4:31:00 PM

Tiffany & Co. on Monday marked the addition of clean, emissions-free, renewable solar power to its energy portfolio with the dedication of one of the East Coast's largest commercial solar projects. Tiffany's has deployed 1.3 megawatts of solar energy at the company's retail distribution centers in Whippany (680 kilowatts) and Parsippany (656 kilowatts).

At a ceremony attended by New Jersey's Office of Economic Growth, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Tiffany celebrated the success of the project—designed, deployed, and operated by PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower Corp. Installed in the summer of 2006, the solar panels generate enough energy during the day to power more than 1,300 New Jersey homes.

"Integrating solar power into our energy portfolio is one step in our efforts to help address the climate change challenges we are confronting," said Michael Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer of Tiffany & Co. "It is part of our broader goal of sustainable style, bringing our customers enduring designs while upholding our commitment to help protect the beauty of the natural world and to responsibly use the natural resources it provides."

"Tiffany's investment in solar electricity illustrates the company's responsible approach to energy use," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower. "By leveraging solar power, Tiffany is helping all of New Jersey's residents. The energy savings accrued by this solar array will reduce pressure on the grid, especially during peak demand hours—at times when state transmission lines are the most constrained."

Over the next 30 years, the solar generated electricity is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 15,500 tons. These emissions reductions are equivalent to planting 4,400 acres of trees, removing 3,100 cars or not driving 37 million miles on New Jersey's roadways.

Comprised of 6,394 solar panels and covering 104,000 square feet, Tiffany's new solar arrays will supply on average approximately 30 percent of Tiffany's distribution centers' electrical load at peak demand times. Additionally, lighting upgrades that reduce electrical use and improve lighting quality will help achieve an overall estimated annual project value of more than $500,000 in savings.

The project was underwritten in part by rebate incentives provided by the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, which is managed by the NJ BPU.