SRI Thailand tyre factory will have world’s largest rooftop solar panel array

The world’s largest rooftop solar panel installation on a single facility, according to Internal KEPCO Research, is being installed at Falken’s parent company (Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ – SRI) factory in Thailand.

The array measures 100,000 square metres, roughly the size of over 18 football pitches, and comprises 40,000 solar panels with a total output of 22MW. According to the company, the new installation will generate enough solar power to support the manufacture of a range of Falken tyres destined for Europe once completed in January 2025.

Together, the investment in new solar panels along with a gas co-generation system and a biomass electric power system energy initiatives at the Rayong Province facility will enable it to ultimately use 100 per cent renewable energy.

The new gas co-generation system, comprising two 6.6MW boilers, powered by renewable energy sources will replace energy supplied by local utility companies. Biomass, derived from the surplus branches and trunks after rubber trees are harvested, as part of SRI’s Sustainable Natural Rubber programme will provide additional electrical power.

In total, the new initiatives will reduce total annual CO2 emissions by 38,000 tonnes.

Driven by SRI’s long-term sustainability policy, ‘Driving Our Future Challenge 2050’ the latest initiatives will help accelerate its carbon neutral goals. This aims to reduce annual Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 50 per cent (compared to 2017 emissions) with its 2030 target now set to be achievable one year ahead of schedule.