Pilkington North America, Inc. has gone solar, thanks to a new one-acre solar array project at its research and development center in Northwood. Hull & Associates, Inc. has partnered with Pilkington North America, Inc. to develop and install the 250 kW ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic energy facility on a Brownfield site originating from the company’s former East Toledo float plant.

NORTHWOOD, Ohio - Pilkington North America, Inc. has gone solar, thanks to a new one-acre solar array project at its research and development center in Northwood. Hull & Associates, Inc. has partnered with Pilkington North America, Inc. to develop and install the 250 kW ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic energy facility on a Brownfield site originating from the company’s former East Toledo float plant. This solar energy facility is the largest private sector, behind-the–meter, renewable energy project in Ohio.

“This project highlights the NSG Group’s commitment to responsible stewardship and the solar energy market both locally and around the world,” said environmental manager Cliff Fleener.

Weather-permitting, the ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the solar field in Northwood. The ceremony will include opening remarks from Mark Stoner, the Mayor of the City of Northwood. Richard Altman, President, Building Products, North America and Tony Shaw, Vice President, Technology – Automotive will give project recognition and highlights. Steve Giles, Hull & Associates will provide details of the project developments.

The solar field utilizes panels incorporating the NSG Group’s solar energy glass products, supplied by First Solar. The Pilkington brand name has been closely associated with the development and production of glass products since its founding in 1826. Its acquisition by Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. in 2006 has added to its resources and commitment to quality and excellence, as well as its expertise in on-line coating technology used for the production of glass used in solar applications. Today the combined company, the NSG Group, is the worldwide leader of high quality, high volume solar energy glass products, with manufacturing sites all over the world. The Northwood solar energy facility will supply approximately 12 percent of its power requirements, while reducing annual electric consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The new solar facility became fully operational earlier this spring.

The project is being managed by Hull Energy, LLC, a newly formed renewable energy project development and asset management company. An affiliate of Hull, Hull Energy has been established to develop, operate and own renewable energy projects for municipal, commercial and industrial clients.

Development of the $1.5 million solar energy project was partially supported by a $680,782 grant from the Ohio Energy Office through theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act’sState Energy Program.