Comcast announced the completion of a 950-panel, ground-mounted solar installation that will help power its Northeast Division headquarters office. Comcast worked with solar energy company, Sunpower, to install the parking lot-based solar array which will generate as much as 500,000 kilowatt hours of power annually, or the equivalent of 40 homes’ worth of electricity. The project also enabled the installation of two dual-port electric vehicle (EV) charging stations beneath the solar panel canopy, with the ability to charge four vehicles simultaneously. The system provides the added benefit of providing covered parking spots for employees during inclement and hot weather conditions.
“Technology, innovation and talent are at the core of everything Comcast does, and generating clean energy on site at our Manchester facility demonstrates our commitment to a culture of sustainability and a way to empower our employees to foster a cleaner, healthier environment,” said Kevin Casey, President of Comcast’s Northeast Division.
The Northeast Division serves customers across 14 states from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Mayor Joyce Craig of Manchester added, “As one of the largest employers in the City of Manchester, I commend Comcast for its focus on sustainable technology. I hope this investment in clean energy will provide inspiration to others and give them the push they need to dedicate resources to sustainability in our community.”
The Manchester solar project is the latest in an ongoing series of sustainability efforts the Northeast Division has implemented. Just a few examples include upgrading to high-efficiency equipment and cooling systems in data centers and installation of LED lights and fixtures at dozens of its largest offices and call centers including Manchester and Hudson locations in New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts facilities in Chelmsford, Malden, and Plymouth. Also, nine EV charging station sites will be completed across the Division in 2018, and the company is expanding its use of single-stream recycling and kitchen waste composting.
Electric Vehicle at Comcast’s Manchester facility.
“Our sustainability efforts also touch the products and experiences we offer our customers,” added Casey. “We have made it a priority to provide the most innovative services in the home and extend energy efficiency options as an added benefit.”
For example, the company’s X1 platform enables customers to say “Go Green” into their voice remotes, leading them to a settings menu that enables a power-saving mode to power down the TV box when not in use. This helps customers reduce their energy consumption and saves money on their utility bills.
Sustainability has also guided digital services like the Xfinity My Account app, which can eliminate an unnecessary technician visit, and EcoBill, which lets customers view and pay their bills online — from the app or the Web portal, found here. Opting to forgo a paper statement in the mail every month is a free, easy and secure way to be environmentally friendly. Comcast’s EcoBill program conserves more than 84 million sheets of paper and 137 million envelopes on an annual basis.
Read coverage of the installation from the New Hampshire Union Leader here and learn more about Comcast’s commitment to sustainability here.
Finally, this video summarizes Comcast’s sustainability initiatives in the Northeast Division in 2018:
