Reynaers Aluminium has commenced the expansion of its worldwide distribution centre in Duffel and with it will install 3,072 solar panels on the roof of the new warehouse.

The photovoltaic installation will be the largest of its kind in Belgium and will have a planned annual output of 500,000 kWh on completion, covering the entire energy needs of the warehouse. It is a continuation of the company’s environmentally-friendly policies and its contribution towards the Kyoto targets.

“Besides our innovations in the field of development of sustainable building solutions, we consider it our duty to contribute actively to the realisation of the Kyoto targets for reductions in greenhouse gases and to generate more electricity from renewable energy sources,” said Martine Reynaers, CEO of Reynaers Aluminium.

Sustainable development is an important innovation theme for Reynaers Aluminium with recent ecological and energy-efficient product innovations, including aluminium profiles with increased thermal insulation values, external sunscreening that enables more energy efficient management of buildings and double-façade solutions.

Comprising of 3,072 solar modules, the photovoltaic installation at Duffel will cover an area of 16,000 m² and the 500,000 kWh of green electricity it will generate each year corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of 166 households. A traditional thermal power station with the same generating capacity would emit 280 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Electricity generated during weekends will be fed into the municipal electricity grid. Payback period for the project is calculated to be 9 years and the system will be fully operational from December 2007.

Reynaers have been providing quality aluminium systems for over 40 years and maintains its high standards through continual testing and development. All of Reynaers systems are available in a choice of RAL colours, in matt, gloss, anodised and metallic finishes.

Email: reynaersltd@reynaers.com