Ricoh USA Inc., the regional arm of Japan-based imaging and electronics company Ricoh Co. Ltd., has announced a new solar array is powering its West Caldwell, N.J., office facility. The array, which is roughly 1.3 times the size of a football field and set to provide more than half of the facility’s electrical needs, builds on Ricoh’s ongoing sustainability efforts.
Completed in collaboration with New York City-based EnterSolar, the solar array is expected to generate more than 790,000 kWh per year, which according to Ricoh, translates to $1.9 million in energy savings over the next 10 years.
“Concern for the environment is in Ricoh’s DNA. It’s core to our corporate identity,” says Donna Venable, executive vice president of human resources and deputy general manager of shared services for Ricoh Americas. “Since Ricoh established its Environmental Promotion Group more than 40 years ago, we have worked hard to foster sustainability from the top down and the bottom up. It’s what drove us to undertake this solar array project, it’s what drives our emissions reductions as a global company, and it’s what drives our individual employees to do their part in fostering sustainability through corporate and external programs.”
In fact, the West Caldwell facility, itself, has a strong sustainability history. The building has achieved ENERGY STAR certification for three years in a row, and its on-site Biodiversity-Pollinator Garden achieved Conservation Certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Additionally, Ricoh Co. Ltd. has become the first Japanese company to join the RE100, a global initiative of influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity. By joining RE100, Ricoh has committed to using a minimum of 30% renewable energy worldwide by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
“Ricoh is committed to continuous growth as a trusted and valued corporate citizen for our customers and society at large,” says Yoshinori Yamashita, president and CEO of Ricoh Co. Ltd.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ricoh, the first RE100 member headquartered in Japan – a country known for its technology, with huge potential in renewables,” says Sam Kimmins, head of the RE100. “Ricoh’s commitment to 100 percent renewable electricity sends a clear signal that corporate demand is increasing globally.” Ricoh joins about 90 other companiesas an RE100 member.
