Collins Aerospace, a business under RTX (NYSE: RTX), has entered into a 15-year power purchase agreement with ENGIE Distributed Solar and Storage to establish and manage a 6.5-acre solar farm at its Plant 6 site on Harrison Avenue in Rockford, Illinois. Under this agreement, Collins will purchase the electricity generated by the project from ENGIE while ENGIE retains the renewable electricity certificates. Collins will, in turn, acquire replacement certificates from other qualified renewable projects.
Steve Kotso, Executive Director of Electric Power Systems at Collins Aerospace, emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability and greener manufacturing operations. He noted that the Rockford site plays a pivotal role in these efforts, where Collins is developing hybrid-electric propulsion systems at "The Grid," a $50 million lab. Simultaneously, the installation of the solar farm is expected to supply approximately 10% of Plant 6's annual electricity needs, resulting in a reduction of more than 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Construction of the solar farm is scheduled to commence next spring and is projected to be completed by late 2024. This initiative adds to Collins Aerospace's portfolio of solar arrays, already operational at 15 sites worldwide, collectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 3,500 metric tons annually.
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, is a prominent provider of integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry, with a focus on advancing sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety, mission success, and space exploration.
RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, boasts a global workforce exceeding 180,000 employees. Its subsidiaries, including Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, lead in aviation advancements, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing cutting-edge technology solutions to address global challenges.
Source: rtx.com