Mercury Plastics, a leader in the plastics industry, reinforced its commitment to sustainability by installing a rooftop solar system at its Franklin Park, IL facility. This initiative built on the success of a similar system installed at its Baltimore, MD plant in 2023, emphasizing the company’s dedication to renewable energy and environmental stewardship. The primary goals of the Franklin Park installation were to reduce the plant’s carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and showcase Mercury Plastics’ commitment to sustainable practices. The project sought to replicate the success of the Baltimore location, which had significantly reduced energy expenses and bolstered the company’s overall sustainability efforts.
A significant challenge was ensuring the existing building’s gypsum deck could support the additional weight of the solar panels without the need for mechanical attachments. This requirement led to multiple solar design revisions, providing General Energy with valuable learning experiences for future rooftop installations on sites equipped with a gypsum deck.
- System Size: 771 kW DC
- Anticipated Annual Production: 869,863 kWh/yr
- Grid Connection: The solar system is connected behind the meter, operating in parallel with the grid.
- Annual Environmental Impact: Solar system to offset company’s carbon footprint by 608 tons. This is equivalent to Carbon Dioxide emissions from 68,378 gallons of gasoline.
- Role: Developer and EPC
