Novartis Pharma plant in California taps into sun’s power

Investing in 4,100-plus solar panels benefits the environment and generates less expensive electricity for Vacaville site

With the opening of a new solar generating system, the Novartis pharmaceutical plant in Vacaville, California, will use clean, renewable energy from the sun to cover 20 percent of its electricity needs. The investment of USD 7 million is the company’s largest solar initiative to date and exemplifies a global commitment to sustainable energy and climate protection.

More than 4,100 solar panels arrayed on seven acres of previously unused property began generating power at the Novartis plant at the end of September, ahead of schedule. These photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. A smaller grouping of solar panels at Vacaville became operational in December 2008.

The plant hosted an official opening ceremony for the environmentally friendly power system on   October 28, attended by public officials, community representatives and Novartis employees.
Robert Pelzer, President and CEO of Novartis Corporation, said: “Our investment in the Vacaville Solar Array, the largest single solar energy investment of Novartis worldwide, is the latest demonstration of our continued commitment to the environment and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Leaders program, an industry-government partnership aiming to develop comprehensive climate change strategies.”

The mayor of Vacaville praised the project as an example of public-private cooperation, and a group of fourth-grade students joined in the ceremony as part of a Novartis-sponsored educational program on renewable energy.

Safeguarding – and saving
Together, the solar arrays give the Vacaville plant a capacity to generate 1 megawatt of its own electricity, replacing power from fossil fuel-burning plants and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1,405 metric tons per year. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide contribute to global warming. 

Novartis estimates cost savings of USD 200,000 a year for Vacaville, hedging against electric utility costs that have traditionally been rising at an average rate of 11 percent in California. In addition, Novartis will benefit from US federal and state tax credits and rebates for renewable energy.

“We are committed to safeguarding the environment and at the same time enhancing efficiency in every area of our operations. This investment in solar power generation will pay off both in dollar terms and in benefits to the environment,” says Robert Carter, Site Head at Vacaville for Novartis.

Keeping a global commitment
The Vacaville project helps advance the Novartis commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the period 2008-2012 to a level prescribed in the Kyoto Protocol.

Keith Saveal, Head of Corporate Health, Safety and Environment at Novartis, comments: “Solar energy is one way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Globally, we are taking many actions to implement our energy efficiency strategy, including alternative sources where feasible. The Vacaville project is one of five solar installations around the world, but its size, covering four international soccer fields, more than triples our solar generating capacity.”

The initiative in California started in 2006 as a project submitted – and recognized – in the Novartis annual Energy Excellence Awards program, which encourages all associates to come up with significant energy saving ideas. Just three years later, the Vacaville project is a reality.

Cooperating with the climate
Solar is well-suited for the site in California. The climate in Vacaville, located between San Francisco and Sacramento, offers abundant sunshine – with 25 percent more sunny days than the US national average.

The project’s first phase, completed in December 2008, was a smaller installation of fixed solar panels on a parking canopy, with a capacity of 29 kilowatts. So far, this array has generated 96 gigajoules of electricity, eliminating 21.1 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The second phase includes 4,104 panels arrayed on seven acres and pivoting throughout the day to follow the sun and maximize power output. This larger array generates 971 kilowatts, raising the total to 1 megawatt.

The biotechnology plant, known as the Vacaville Center of Excellence for Microbial Fermentation, produces drug substance for two commercially available medications and for two others currently in clinical development.