{"id":243945,"date":"2024-01-22T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.republicofgreen.com\/3-things-to-know-about-our-solar\/"},"modified":"2024-01-22T17:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T17:30:00","slug":"3-things-to-know-about-our-solar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.republicofgreen.com\/3-things-to-know-about-our-solar\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Things To Know About Our Solar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\t\t\tOur commitment to investing in renewable energy forms like solar is a bright idea in our sustainability toolkit
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Our first solar farm opened in 2014 in Santa Rosa, California and our solar energy footprint across the globe has been growing ever since. In November 2023, we unveiled a solar energy farm at our Mounds View, Minnesota campus, a seven-acre site expected to generate more than 10% of the building\u2019s annual electric needs. With this addition, we have ten Medtronic locations with on-site solar arrays.<\/p>\n

Our longstanding commitment to renewable energy predates even our ambition to be net zero by 2045. We\u2019ve invested in a variety of low-carbon energy sources such as purchasing green electricity from the grid or generating our own renewable electricity on site. Last year, we used approximately 414,300 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity \u2013 more than 46% of our total electricity usage<\/strong>. This accomplishment was in large part due to our solar arrays at our facilities around the globe.<\/p>\n

Here are three things to know about how we\u2019re using the sun to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions:<\/p>\n

1. About one-quarter of our sites generate solar power \u2014 and more are planned.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the 94 Medtronic locations our company tracks around the world, 19 of them already have on-site solar generation. And there are 18 more projects we hope to complete in the near-term, said Daniel Sterner, a 20-year employee who leads our global energy, water, and utility infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are relatively low-risk projects. We install them, flip the switch, and they\u2019ll produce energy for us for years to come,\u201d noted Sterner.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re putting solar infrastructure in place now so that we will have a positive impact and contribution to the greening of the different electricity grids our sites are connected to.<\/p>\n

2. Our fleet of solar energy farms spans the globe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just as our company is embedded in all parts of the world, so is our commitment to producing green energy.<\/p>\n

Our solar generation fields are often installed on roofs, which are otherwise unused spaces, said Daniel. Sometimes, we build carports and install solar panels on top, which offer an extra benefit for employees who drive to work. Some solar array systems generate 5% of a site\u2019s electricity needs, while others are nearly 50%.<\/p>\n

Our notable solar sites around the globe include:<\/p>\n