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New 76 Kilowatt Solar Panel Array Goes On-line at BNY Mellon Complex in Everett

New 76 Kilowatt Solar Panel Array Goes On-line at BNY Mellon Complex in Everett

Published 04-22-09

Submitted by Bank of New York Mellon, The

BOSTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A newly installed 76 kilowatt photovoltaic (solar powered) system has come on-line and begun supplying electric power to The Bank of New York Mellon's (NYSE: BK) office complex in Everett, Mass. The system is one of the largest of its kind in greater Boston and among the top 25 solar-electric generating projects in the Commonwealth.

Building on BNY Mellon's commitment to environmental sustainability, the 5,762 sq ft array is a "direct tie" system that will offset the company's daily power consumption. Electricity generated by the system's 364 solar modules flows directly into the building’s power lines, effectively reducing power needs from the utility in direct proportion to system output. BNY Mellon estimates annual output to be around 103,000 kilowatt-hours, which is expected to generate cost savings of up to $15,000 a year.

103,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity is equivalent to the energy used to power 3,300 local homes for one day. That much electricity derived from non-polluting sources such as solar also prevents the release of key pollutants, specifically:

  • 50 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) -- equivalent to the CO2 absorbed each year by 42 acres of forest. Carbon dioxide is the main gas responsible for climate change.
  • 425 pounds of sulphur dioxide
  • (SO2) -- enough to fill more than 14,000 basketballs. Sulphur dioxide is the main cause of acid rain and visibility problems.
The project received funding from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and is part of National Grid's Everett Congestion Relief Pilot program, which includes solar power as one of several methods to limit peak demand for electricity. Installation of the system was coordinated by BNY Mellon's property manager in Everett, Jones Lang LaSalle.

"The Bank of New York Mellon has a long tradition of operating in ways that make sense both for the environment and our business," said Chip Logan, general services and corporate real estate division manager at BNY Mellon. "Together with our partners at Jones Lang LaSalle, Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and National Grid, this solar installation supports our corporate-wide commitment to sustainability while easing energy demand on the local grid."

"Projects like this are crucial stepping stones as the Commonwealth forges ahead toward the Patrick-Murray Administration's goal of 250 megawatts of installed solar power in Massachusetts by 2020," said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Philip Giudice. "Through the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, the Commonwealth is proud to partner with The Bank of New York Mellon and we congratulate the company on its clean energy leadership."

"We applaud The Bank of New York Mellon for its vision and leadership as a 'green corporate citizen. Three years ago it made a bold commitment to this project and to the value of renewable energy, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, said Tim Roughan, director, distributed resources for National Grid. "BNY Mellon's highly visible photovoltaic system is the largest renewable energy installation completed to date under our congestion relief pilot. We hope it will create excitement while serving as an example of what we at National Grid call the 'power of action’ -- many individuals making changes that collectively have a positive impact on our environment.'

"Bank of New York Mellon recognizes that a sustainable, resource-efficient building meets the dual goals of being both economically and environmentally responsible," said Mike Cook, vice president and general manager for Jones Lang LaSalle in Everett. "Adding a solar powered electricity system is an innovative and financially sound investment to make a building more sustainable."

BNY Mellon received various tax incentives for its solar electric project, including state and federal tax credits. Combined, the incentives cover about two-thirds of the cost of the system, which will pay for itself in less than five years.

A direct-tie solar array is a popular and efficient choice, because there are no batteries to replace and it costs less than its battery-equipment counterpart. BNY Mellon's system essentially wakes up in the morning and shuts down at night.

Opened in 1999 after extensive renovations to a former Textron manufacturing plant, BNY Mellon's 385,000 sq ft office complex in Everett is home to more than 1,000 employees and an operations center for the company's securities servicing and payments processing businesses. The facility also has earned the EPA "Energy Star" award seven years running.

The Bank of New York Mellon has about 3,000 employees in greater Boston, most of them working in its locally headquartered securities servicing, asset management, and wealth management businesses.

About National Grid

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. Our talented, diverse workforce is committed to tackling climate change and safeguarding our global environment for future generations, and we believe this can best be accomplished by engaging our customers, communities, governments, employees and others to join us in using the power of action to achieve significant results together. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island.

About Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust

The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust supports renewable energy projects throughout Massachusetts. Working in partnership with the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Trust is maximizing the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy for the citizens, businesses, and communities of the Commonwealth. The Trust has supported more than 1,400 projects in more than 275 communities. Visit www.masstech.org/renewableenergy to learn more.

About Jones Lang LaSalle

Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) is a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2008 global revenue of $2.7 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 60 countries from 750 locations worldwide, including 180 corporate offices. The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 1.4 billion square feet worldwide. For further information, please visit our Web site, www.joneslanglasalle.com.

About The Bank of New York Mellon

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $19.5 trillion in assets under custody and administration, $881 billion in assets under management, services more than $11 trillion in outstanding debt, and processes global payments averaging $1.8 trillion per day. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.

Bank of New York Mellon, The logo

Bank of New York Mellon, The

Bank of New York Mellon, The

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has more than $23 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services $11 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at bnymellon.com.

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