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    Toyota Completes 30-MW Solar at Engine Plant to Initiate $49M PPA with Alabama Utility

    Nov. 25, 2024
    The array will generate approximately 62,000 MWh of energy on an annual basis, reducing an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. The solar array, located in the North Huntsville Industrial Park, surrounds Toyota Alabama with 72,000 individual solar panels
    Image credit Toyota Alabama
    6744e540f168a34fcb067e9a Toyota Solar

    Toyota and Alabama’s Huntsville Utilities worked together to complete a 30-MW solar energy array at the automaker’s engine plant in the state.

    Toyota Alabama, Toyota Tsusho America (TAI) and Huntsville Utilities partnered on the joint power purchase agreement worth $49 million. The solar energy generated, which is equivalent to roughly 70% of the plant’s electricity consumption, will be connected into the utility’s grid and not directly power the engine manufacturing facility.

    “Toyota is committed to clean and sustainable power,” Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Alabama, said in a statement. “We are thankful for our partners on this project who have created a model of environmental stewardship in North Alabama.”

    The array will generate approximately 62,000 MWh of energy on an annual basis, reducing an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. The solar array, located in the North Huntsville Industrial Park, surrounds Toyota Alabama with 72,000 individual solar panels. The site covers 168-acres and is equivalent to 127 football fields.

    The project, led by TAI’s Energy Infrastructure Solutions team, is owned by TAI, which is also responsible for its long-term operations. The PPA between TAI and Huntsville Utilities will allow the cost-to-serve municipal utility to purchase clean energy.

    "Bringing projects like this to life aligns with TAI's goal to create positive impacts in local communities, while also helping to create pathways to a sustainable future globally," said Chris Simmons, TAI division head for green infrastructure. 

    Toyota aims to achieve carbon neutrality at all its North American facilities by 2035, according to the company. The automakers own or partially own and operate 14 on the continent, with one of those in Mexico.