Exhibit Resources, a full-service exhibit design and production agency based in Raleigh, N.C., recently installed an energy-producing rooftop photovoltaic system and celebrated their forward thinking with a special event held Aug. 16.
“The installation was very timely as North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory established the month of June as Solar Energy Month.” said Lana Calloway, CEO, Exhibit Resources. “We are thrilled to be a part of North Carolina’s sustainable-energy movement.”
Calloway learned about the benefits and paybacks of solar power while attending a local meeting in 2012.
Exhibit Resources worked with Argand Energy Solutions to create the photovoltaic system mounted on the roof of Exhibit Resources. This installation reflects Exhibit Resources’ commitment to sustainability, and the partnership with Argand to create a renewable energy source is another step towards Exhibit Resources’ mission of environmental stewardship.
The system will produce approximately 598,300 kilowatt hours of AC power and eliminate 930,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The electricity generated by the panels will be metered and supplied to the grid through Duke Energy’s distribution system up to 2028 and beyond. After 20 years, Exhibit Resources will have the option of full ownership and use of the photovoltaic system to power their building.
Also planning to use a photovoltaic system to reduce dependency on local power sources is the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino resort in Las Vegas.
Officials for MGM Resorts International and NRG Energy Inc. recently announced the planned installation of one of the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic arrays in the world at the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center in Las Vegas. The 6.2-megawatt installation will be MGM Resorts’ first commercial solar project in the United States and will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,000 homes.
“Integrating environmentally responsible practices throughout our operations has been a key pillar in MGM Resorts’ strategic sustainability plan,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International. “Partnering with NRG Solar to install the solar rooftop at Mandalay Bay highlights a major milestone in our efforts to promote renewable energy and reduce our consumption of the planet’s limited resources.”
At peak production, the rooftop array is expected to produce nearly 20 percent of the Mandalay Bay’s power demand. Installing the rooftop solar array will lower demand on the southern Nevada electricity grid during the hottest time of the day and decrease the need to import power from outside the local energy system while reducing power costs for the entire Las Vegas system.
While U.S. firms are embracing more environmentally friendly power solutions, officials for Toronto’s Exhibition Place are moving forward with their industry-leading sustainability efforts.
In July, Exhibition Place officials launched a new GREENSmart promotion showcasing 12 energy-efficient
initiatives across the 192-acre site. The promotional campaign includes informational posters placed on outdoor waste diversion receptacles for visitors and participants of the environmental walking tour.
“Achieving ongoing success in sustainability for a property that spans 192-acres is a significant accomplishment,” said Dianne Young, CEO, Exhibition Place. “This new promotional campaign allows visitors the opportunity to learn more about how we achieve our award winning results.”
The award-winning GREENSmart program at Exhibition Place includes use of wind turbine power, urban forestry, geothermal projects, solar power, LED lighting, “green” roofs and cool rooftops, back-pressure steam turbines, tri-generation, an innovation center and the LEED Silver-certified Allstream Centre.
Through the GREENSmart program, in 2012 Exhibition Place officials diverted 83 percent and 5.82 kilograms of waste and reduced use of grid electricity by 55.84 million kilowatt hours since 2005. A new promotional campaign highlights many other notable facts and keeps our visitors aware of the sustainability efforts of Exhibition Place.
