Prudential Locations, a leading real estate agent in Hawaii, made a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint when it installed solar panels in 2008. Since then, the new 87-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system at the company’s Honolulu office have reduced CO2 emissions by an estimated 650,721 kg, and produced more than 382,000 kWh of energy.
The solar panels – which currently generate more than 136,000 kilowatt hours of clean, solar electricity each year – are just one way Prudential Locations is bringing to light its corporate sustainability initiative, which aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. In addition to installing the PV panels, elements of Prudential Locations’ sustainability initiative includes a paperless initiative where the agents submit contracts electronically, increasing use of recycled products, as well as recycling.
“We live and work in such a beautiful place that it only makes sense that Prudential Locations do what it can to be sustainable and care for our environment,” said Joe Segal, Prudential Locations online marketing manager. “By installing the photovoltaic panels at our Honolulu offices, we hope that we are able to set an example for other local companies on how they can make changes both big and small and be sustainable.”
The photovoltaic panels currently produce enough electricity to power 382 homes for one full year and are also helping Prudential Locations’ bottom line, saving the company 10 to 15 percent on its electrical bill each year.
The PV technology that Prudential Locations installed converts solar energy into electricity with minimal impact on the environment and offers “net metering” which occurs when solar panels generates more electricity than the building can use.
Installed by Hawaii-based company, Hoku Solar, the project has already created excitement amongst Prudential Locations agents and employees. “I think it really speaks to Prudential Locations’ commitment towards sustainability and sets a good example for both agents and employees,” Segal added.
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.
