As one of the world’s leading premier jewelers, Tiffany & Co. follows a corporate policy to ensure its business practices help to preserve the environment and promote sustainability. Tiffany & Co. wanted a clean,emission-free, and renewable energy solution to generate reliable and cost efficient power. With two large, unused commercial rooftops available, adding solar installations presented the perfect opportunity for Tiffany & Co. to reduce energy costs and their environmental impact. After evaluating solar solutions from several companies, Tiffany’s chose SunPower to install PowerGuard® solar roof systems on two of its distribution centers, which now produce 1,336 kW of electricity -- enough to power 1,330 homes during the daytime. Tiffany’s also worked with the Energy Efficiency team at SunPower to complete high efficiency measures around lighting, which is helping them to further save energy.

MAKING A WISE FINANCIAL DECISION
The decision to go solar did not escape the normal business rigor applied to an $8 million investment. Palfini and his team were careful to evaluate financial projections. “I’m happy to say that those expected performance numbers were somewhat conservative. We’re doing better than expected,”said Palfini, a year after the project was completed. The combination of the savings from the solar installation and the energy efficiency measures is saving Tiffany’s $450,000 per year.

QUICK AND EASY INSTALLATION
In the summer of 2006, SunPower completed the installation of two SunPower PowerGuard Roof Systems at Tiffany & Co. distribution centers in New Jersey - a 680 kW system in Whippany, and a 656 kW system in Parsippany. With fewer moving parts and no mechanical roof attachments required, PowerGuard enabled fast and seamless installation. The R10-insulated roof systems additionally provide thermal insulation for thebuildings that reduce heating and cooling costs. By protecting the roof surface from harmful, UV-ray degradation, the solar installations also help to extend the life of the roof.

MEASURES OF EXCELENCE
The solar installation has become a new jewel for the company to rally around. Over the next 30 years, these solar installations will help Tiffany &Co. reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15,500 lbs., which is equivalent to planting 4,110 acres of trees, or removing 3,100 cars from the roads.“Employees take pride in the fact that Tiffany’s has one of the largest solar installations in New Jersey,” Palfini noted.