Timex Group USA on Thursday held a dedication ceremony for its recently completed installation of 800 solar panels outside its Middlebury, Conn., headquarters in what the company says is one of the largest ground-mounted solar electric installations in the state and one of the largest solar power installations in the northeastern United States.

As part of the $2.5 million project, 27 rows of 244kW solar panels were installed on the eastern side of the watchmaker’s property. This photovoltaic system is designed to generate 285,439 kilowatt-hours a year—enough electricity annually to power nearly 32 average Connecticut homes, the watch manufacturer and marketer said. The system output will avoid over 6.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 28,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 11,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide over the 25-year life of the system.

The project was financed in part through a $920,000 grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and tax credits.

Attending the event were local, state, and federal politicians.

Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, president and chief Executive officer of Timex Group, said the project is a critical element of the company’s worldwide efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through increased energy conservation and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

“Converting sunlight into electricity is an important component of our plan to lessen our environmental footprint,” Hoejsgaard said. “We are completely reviewing how we implement ongoing strategies for continued success in energy conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, recycling and paper use – both in our operations and our consumer packaging.”

JCK