Toyota Headquarters Will Use 100% Renewable Energy

Toyota says it will use 100 percent renewable energy at is new North American headquarters in Plano, Texas.

Earlier this week the automaker announced that the $1 billion campus, slated to open in May 2017, will include a 7.7-megawatt solar array that will provide a quarter of its power needs.

Toyota is seeking LEED Platinum certification — the US Green Building Council’s highest level — of the new campus.

Yesterday, MP2 Energy said it has been awarded a five-year retail electricity contract with Toyota to provide “100 percent renewable energy solutions” to the Plano campus.

A Toyota spokesperson told Environmental Leader that the energy mix will include a “variety of renewable options” such as the on-site solar system, clean energy procurement and renewable energy certificates (RECs). At press time, Toyota did not have a breakdown of what percentage would come from off-site renewable sources and RECs.

MP2 Energy says the contract takes into consideration the forecasted hourly energy consumption for the 2.1 million square-foot campus comprised of office space and office support, a data center and light industrial and light automotive service facilities. The five-year deal also supports the on-site solar generation through MP2 Energy’s Net Energy Billing program for the purchase of all excess solar generation.

The energy services company says the remaining electricity MP2 procures for Toyota will be 100 percent renewable, sourced from various resources including local Texas wind and offsite solar.

The contract also includes the possibility of future integration of demand response and other onsite generation.

Toyota says the new campus, powered by 100 percent clean energy, moves the company closer to its 2050 global environmental challenge to eliminate carbon emissions in all operations.

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