Photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the 9.000m² new build provide a sustainable solution to help supply RS's largest global distribution center and power the electrical grid
RS Components A global multi-channel provider of solutions for industrial customers and suppliers, has prioritized sustainability in a €65 million expansion of its distribution center (DC) in Bad Hersfeld, Germany. The installation of a major solar energy system on the roof of the new 9.000 m² building, scheduled for completion in August 2021, is capable of generating 750 kWh per day of photovoltaic (PV) capacity to convert sunlight directly into electricity, providing power to the RS complex and feeding the grid.
Since the placement of the first PV panels at the end of July 2020, the Bad Hersfeld site, which will become the largest of the company's 12 distribution centers worldwide upon completion of the expansion, has recorded significant levels of production of photovoltaic energy. In August, the first full month after the commissioning of the system, when the hours of sunshine were at their maximum, the production of the solar cells generated more than 25% of all the energy consumption of the expanded center.
Debbie Lentz, President of Supply Chain for Electrocomponents, commented, “This investment in solar energy is an important step in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. On many days of the year, we can now be fully energy self-sufficient at our Bad Hersfeld distribution center, using a 100% clean and renewable energy source.”
In addition to generating sustainable energy for self-consumption from the DC of RS, the solar cells have been connected to the electricity grid since November through a local electricity provider for the delivery of surplus energy.
“I am very pleased that we are using the latest technology in all aspects of the project,” added Debbie Lentz. “In the case of photovoltaics, in particular, it is clear how the most modern solutions not only benefit us as DC operators, but also create a very beneficial relationship between ecology and economy. The time when economic and environmental goals were often irreconcilable is history thanks to technical innovation."
The expansion of the RS Bad Hersfeld distribution center will almost double the existing warehouse space in the center, with the capacity to store more than 500.000 products at this location alone. This will allow faster delivery times to customers in the EMEA region and improve the efficiency of the supply chain.
For more information on how Electrocomponents is investing in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) across its business, please visit https://www.electrocomponents.com/esg
