Kingspan Insulation North America, a leader in high-performance building envelope solutions, celebrated the completion of a new rooftop solar installation at its Mendota manufacturing facility with a ribbon-cutting event alongside project partners REC Solar and Dynamic Energy, marking another milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to renewable energy and operational sustainability.
 
The 881-kilowatt rooftop solar system, installed across approximately 50,000 square feet of roof space, is expected to generate roughly 1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, offsetting approximately 700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
 
“Bringing solar power online at our Mendota manufacturing site is a milestone of which we’re incredibly proud,” said Kyle McEnroe, president of Kingspan Insulation North America. “This project is a tangible example of our Planet Passionate commitment in action as we continue to reduce operational carbon, increase our use of renewable energy and invest in long-term solutions that strengthen both our environmental performance and our business. It’s another step forward in how we embed sustainability into the way we manufacture, operate and grow in North America.”
 
The Mendota solar installation is Kingspan’s third in North America, following similar installations at its facilities in DeLand, Florida and Winchester, Virginia. The installations support Kingspan Group’s global Planet Passionate sustainability program, which includes a goal of installing solar photovoltaic systems on all wholly owned sites and achieving 60% direct renewable energy use by 2030.
 
Developed and installed by Dynamic Energy, the system is owned and operated by REC Solar through a 25-year power purchase agreement.
 
“As companies increasingly seek strategies to lower emissions and strengthen supply chain sustainability, this project shows how clean, reliable and affordable solar energy, delivered through a long-term power purchase agreement, can help achieve those goals,” said Matt Miller, Chief Investment Officer at REC Solar. “By owning and operating these systems, REC Solar is proud to support Kingspan’s leadership in renewable energy and its continued progress in sustainability.”
 
"As a trusted solar partner for Kingspan, Dynamic is proud to work together with REC Solar to deliver another rooftop solar project that supports their net-zero and renewable energy goals,” said Oliver Davis, President and COO of Dynamic Energy. “With U.S. industrial electricity rates continuing to rise, this project demonstrates how sustainability and sound business planning go hand in hand. We applaud their forward-thinking approach to reducing emissions while gaining control over rising energy costs.”
 
Kingspan acquired the Mendota manufacturing facility in September 2021. The plant employs 39 people and produces expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation used in a range of commercial and residential building applications. EPS insulation is fully recyclable, manufactured without harmful blowing agents and often incorporates recycled content, delivering strong thermal performance and energy efficiency in building envelope systems.