SAS becomes sun worshipper

Business intelligence software company SAS is to build a solar electric power farm at its headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.

The company is aiming to have the farm running by the end of the year to produce electricity for its HQ and the local community.

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The company is working with Progress Energy Carolinas and SunPower to develop the power scheme on its five acre campus.

The farm will use a one megawatt photovoltaic solar array, which moves to follow the sun during the day to provide 25 per cent more energy capture than fixed solar panels.

SAS estimates the initiative will generate 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year leading to an annual CO2 reduction of 1,600 tonnes.

SAS CEO, Jim Goodnight said employees and customers expect the company to be responsible corporate citizens and the solar farm is "one small gesture" among the company's green initiatives.

He added: "Future generations depend on us to do the right thing today."

Under North Carolina's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, by 2021, utility companies in North Carolina must obtain up to 12.5 per cent of their energy through renewable sources or energy efficiency measures.