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NEW SOLAR INITIATIVE AT LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE SYSTEMS TO REDUCE ENERGY USAGE BY 30 PERCENT
PRNewswire
SUNNYVALE, Calif.

NEW SOLAR INITIATIVE AT LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE SYSTEMS TO REDUCE ENERGY USAGE BY 30 PERCENT

 

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 4, 2008  /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) today officially dedicated a rooftop solar array project at its Space Systems Company's Sunnyvale campus that will cut its energy costs by $150,000 per year.

Nearly 3,000 photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roofs of two buildings that will generate approximately 1.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity and reduce energy consumption at peak times and relieve utility grid congestion. The panels, which cover a combined 1.2 acres of roof space, will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 20,000 tons over 30 years, which is equivalent to planting 4,000 acres of trees or removing 3,200 cars from California roads. The project marks the largest solar panel installation at any Lockheed Martin campus.

"As a leader in the space community, we also aspire to be a leader when it comes to energy conservation and protecting the environment," said Joanne Maguire, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Our solar energy project is a perfect example of Lockheed Martin's 'Go Green' initiatives."

The 906-kilowatt solar power system was designed and installed by SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems. "Lockheed Martin is an iconic American business leader that has chosen the most efficient solar technology available today to maximize the amount of clean, renewable solar power generated at its Sunnyvale campus," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower.

S.K. Gupta, vice president of operations for Space Systems Company, added, "Solar energy is just one of many elements in Lockheed Martin's Go Green campaign. A key component is called '25 in 5,' which is shorthand for reducing our landfill waste, water usage and carbon impact by 25 percent within five years. Further, we have had a sustained energy conservation initiative for the past 10 years that has dramatically reduced our usage of electricity and natural gas while significantly lowering our carbon footprint."

National, state and city governments have recognized Lockheed Martin in protecting the environment. Recently, the California Integrated Waste Management Board bestowed a WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) award to Lockheed Martin's Bay Area operations for incorporating waste reduction, reuse and recycling efforts into daily business activities.

Since 2007, Space Systems Company has constructed two buildings in the Bay Area following the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainable building protocols. One was the first LEED-compliant facility in the city of Sunnyvale and the first within Lockheed Martin.

Employees also are able to use "grab 'n' go" bicycles to travel between buildings on the 400-acre campus. The company also provides on-campus shuttle service, car and vanpool planning and employee passes for the Valley Transportation Authority's light-rail system.

Further environmental stewardship efforts are in the offing, including green cafeteria practices; additional solid waste, surplus scrap and metal recycling programs; increased use of alternative fuel vehicles; and paper and associated energy conservation.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs and develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security and military, civil government and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; ballistic missiles; missile defense systems; and nanotechnology research and development.

Media Contacts:

Charles Manor, 408/742-3397
Michael Friedman, 408/742-3516