Heights autumn 2017 Magazine Heights NJ 2017 | Page 7

INSIDE 7 Sustainability: a conscious choice by Altrex Solar panels on the roof of our factory - total space equals two football fields If things can be done smarter, then that’s the way we do it. This applies to our products and certainly to the way we work at Altrex. Besides doing it smart, we also do it sustainably. Just like the more than 2,300 solar panels on our roof. That is quite something; 2,304 solar panels to be precise. They take up a surface of more than 8,000 m2 on the roof or our factory in Zwolle. In collaboration with the Belgian firm, WDP, a supplier of solar panels, this project spells a great step in realizing our sustainable objectives. A CONSCIOUS CHOICE “Everyone leaves a CO2 footprint – as individuals and as With these panels, we generate our own renewable energy companies,” says Gerko Arends, operations manager. “At and that has many benefits. Obviously, in first instance, it is Altrex, we try to keep the emissions during our processes as for the benefit of the environment and our direct low as possible. The solar panels on the roof of our factory surroundings. Moreover, this contributes to the climate certainly contribute to that. And the excess energy that we objective of the Energy Agreement. This too is something generate we feed back into the regional energy grid.” that we in Altrex consider important. ENERGY IN NUMBERS So many solar panels means a considerable contribution. What about the numbers? Each of the 2,304 solar panels has a capacity of 265 watt-peak. That amounts to a net total of around 550 MWh of electricity per year. Annually, we use around 1,350 kWh per person. Therefore, the energy that Aside for thinking about safety, Altrex also opts for we generate with our installation is equal to the annual sustainability. Therefore, working with Altrex always means consumption by more than 400 people or nearly 200 families. that you’ve made a conscious choice. ■