OREANDA-NEWS. Being green in Northeast Mississippi got a lot easier as dozens of community members and citizens joined Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (Toyota), TVA and New Albany Light, Gas & Water (NALGW) this morning at a ceremony to celebrate Earth Day 2013 by “powering on” Toyota’s new 50 kilowatt solar array.

Also at the ceremony, Toyota was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency.

Toyota’s Blue Springs plant assembles the Corolla and employs 2,000 team members.

“Toyota is honored to celebrate Earth Day 2013 with the community,” said Doug Formby, vice president of administration at Toyota.  “The ‘powering on’ of our 50 kilowatt solar array and recognition of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR award demonstrates our commitment of 'Respect for the planet.'  Plus, it’s another step in our long-term vision of being the model sustainable plant in the region, covering four key areas including: Performance; Biodiversity; Use of renewable energy and Education.”

Toyota’s solar array is the fourth largest in the state of Mississippi and will generate 50 kilowatts of peak energy, enough to power approximately seven average households for an entire year.

It will optimize performance by tracking the sun’s movement from sun rise to sun set and will lay flat at night in “sleep mode.”

The power generated by the solar array will be redirected back to NALGW, which ultimately transfers back into the grid for public use.

The solar panels were installed by Carthage-based Mississippi Solar LLC, who worked closely with Toyota engineers, TVA and NALGW on the project.