KYOCERA SGS recently switched on a large solar panel installation on its roof, becoming the first industrial solar installation in the city of Cuyahoga Falls.
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — On the factory floor at KYOCERA in Cuyahoga Falls, the small details matter. Known for manufacturing precision carbide cutting tools that shape metal for airplane and automotive parts, artificial joints in the medical field, even firearms. Now, they are manufactured with solar energy, from panels on the company’s roof. The panels’ maker believes industry uses is the future of solar.
“There’s a lot of big buildings out there that have empty roofs that are ready to produce power and offset their electricity bills,” said Dave Khuen, a senior sales manager for JinkoSolar.
Hello Sunray, an Akron-based company which specializes in turnkey renewable energy solutions, installed the 659 solar panels, which began producing power last month.
“This is also the largest solar installation that we’ve done to date. So, it’s a really exciting opportunity for us,” said the President of Hello Sunray, Anthony Manna. “It gives us that confidence. We think we can continue to do that for other people.”
The advancing technology in solar means KYOCERA saves money, even in the gray days of Ohio’s winter. The company estimates it will save more than $50,000 annually on energy costs. With a 30-year life span for the panels, the benefits add up.
“You have predictability. You know, what the cost your power is going to be. And you kind of have control over it. Instead of being subject to ever rising utility rates,” said Manna.
“So not only is it contributing to, the ecology, it is also contributing to our bottom line,” echoed Tom Haag, the President of KYOCERA SGS.
KYOCERA is global, shipping to 60 countries. Haag says customers are asking about the company’s sustainability efforts before ordering. He’s also grateful that Cuyahoga Falls approved the first industrial solar installation in the city.
“We are certainly looking forward to this project being a launching pad for others like this,” said Anthony Zumbo, director of public service for the City of Cuyahoga Falls. “It’s very important to the administration and our city council to be very green.”
While there is an up-front cost to a solar installation like this, which will take up to seven years to pay off, being an industry trend-setter while saving money and taking care of our planet is a good thing.
“Maybe it’ll inspire others to take a look at solar power as an opportunity to not only, again, contribute to a renewable energy source.” Said Haag. “But also look at their bottom line as well.”
KYOCERA expects to sell power back to the grid during the summer, creating energy credits that can used during to the winter to keep costs down.