Greentech Lead America: Assurant Specialty Property, part of Assurant, a provider of specialty insurance, has dedicated the area’s largest solar energy installation on Earth Day.
The solar energy installation consists of more than 6,200 solar panels, installed on rooftops and atop 15 new parking canopies over the prior six months, are now supplying power to Assurant’s campus off East Leffel Lane.
The 1.76 megawatt project will produce more than 1.9 million kilowatt hours of solar power annually – making it the Springfield-Dayton area’s largest solar installation.
Marking the dedication, the Assurant Foundation also announced a $5000 grant to Center City Association of Springfield, for environmental programs.
The solar power produced at Assurant Specialty Property in Springfield translates to a reduction of more than 1,400 tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent of planting more than 33,000 trees, or more than 280 acres of pine forest.
The Springfield solar project, first of its kind at an Assurant facility, also expands the company’s expertise in the solar industry. Assurant launched the nation’s first specialized insurance and warranty management program for commercial-scale solar installations in May 2012, and is insuring the solar project at Springfield.
The solar array will be operated by Tangent Energy Solutions, experts in commercial and industrial energy technologies. The solar array is owned by LCP Solar Development I and managed by Laurel Capital Partners. The project was constructed by Third Sun Solar, a leading solar energy installer based in Athens, Ohio.
Assurant Specialty Property employs approximately 1,900 at the Springfield campus.
Third Sun Solar employs a team of NABCEP-certified solar energy system installers along with design engineers, financial analysts, grant specialists, and support staff, all focused on making it easier for customers to go solar.