Toyota Motor Manufacturing France first industrial site in France to include solar wall
Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) today inaugurated a solar installation on the wall of its facility in Valenciennes, France. This innovative technology will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions by the plant. TMMF is one of just five plants designated by Toyota worldwide to develop pioneering initiatives towards sustainable manufacturing.
At 12 meters high by 33 meters long, spanning an area of 400m2, the solar wall is incorporated into the south wall of the press shop. When sunlight strikes the wall, the panels absorb heat, allowing warm air to heat the building's interior.
The solar wall installed at TMMF will raise the temperature of the air entering the building by up to 9°C during the coldest months of the year. TMMF estimates that the installation will result in annual energy savings of up to 25% over conventional heating methods and CO2 emissions reduction by approximately 20 tonnes per year.
This achievement marks a milestone in the development of SolarWall® technology in France as it represents SolarWall Europe's first installation on an industrial site in the country.
The solar wall also marks a new milestone in the deployment of green technologies at TMMF, following the installation of a photovoltaic membrane on the roof of its logistics building in 2008. Other initiatives developed at TMMF in the context of its 'sustainable plant' activities include a system for wastewater recycling, preservation of biodiversity within the site, and environmental education activities for children in nearby communities.