Rooftop Expands
Rooftop project expands under Enfinity
Belgium, July 1, 2010 – In early 2010, Enfinity installed one of the largest commercial rooftop solar energy systems at carpet manufacturer Balta in Sint-Baafs-Vijve, Belgium. On Friday 25th June, Enfinity expanded its solar partnership with Balta by starting work at Balta Weaving in Waregem on a rooftop installation extending over 76,000m2. This new project comprises 15,360 additional solar panels. Later in July 2010, the installation of 16,000 panels extending over 80,000m2 will begin on the roof at ITC, which specializes in nylon fitted carpet, in Tielt. When these second and third phases are completed, the Balta Group, which manufactures wall-to-wall carpet, rugs and laminate flooring, will have a solar capacity with a total of 49,000 solar panels covering 271,000m2 of roof area (equivalent to 54 football pitches). Enfinity, an international leader in renewable energy, is managing each of these ambitious phases for Balta.
The additional installation in Waregem will generate 3 million kWh of electricity a year (enough energy for 1,000 families) with an installed capacity of 3.5 mWp (megawatt peak). And there’s another business benefit – “Using sustainable green power in our manufacturing process is something our customers appreciate,” says Jan Vynckier, Plant Manager at Balta Weaving.
The planned system in Tielt will generate 3.1 million KWh of electricity a year with an installed capacity of 3.6 MWp. ITC is also aiming to make a significant contribution to restricting CO2 emissions by offering products that are manufactured in a sustainable manner.
Once its expanded generating system is fully installed, the Balta Group will have a total generating capacity of 11.5 MWp. 50,000 solar panels in total will generate an average of 9.9 million kWh electricity a year. “That corresponds to the power consumption of 3,300 families,” says Mike Top, Energy Manager at Balta Group. Balta will utilize this green power for its own operating activities, with any surplus energy feeding back into the public grid. In all, the company’s solar power-generating systems will mean that 105,000 tons of CO2 emissions will be eliminated over a 20-year period.
Enfinity will be leasing the roof space at Balta and installing solar panels for 20 years via a construction right arrangement. In addition to the money it earns from the lease, Balta will benefit from cheaper and more stable energy costs. The company is also helping the European community to achieve the targets set for renewable energy. Enfinity is able to carry out these projects thanks to the revenue earned from the power it generates, as well as the Green Power Certificates provided by the Flanders Government.
Balta’s decision to become a producer of green power itself is part of a broader vision of sustainability in which enhancing the company’s energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions play a major role. “As the market leader, we are happy to take responsibility for reducing our ecological footprint,” says Geert Vanden Bossche, Balta’s Marketing Director.
About Enfinity
Enfinity specializes in financing and developing renewable energy projects worldwide, with operations in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. To finance these projects, Enfinity works with individual project companies funded by equity investors and banks. Enfinity is currently developing, building and financing solar PV projects with a total capacity of more than 145 MW and is planning to initiate several hundred megawatts through 2010. Enfinity’s 2009 revenues topped more than $300M, and it recently consolidated its international position as a global player with a $64 million investment from Waterland. For more information, visit www.enfinitycorp.com.