May 19 (Renewables Now) - Austrian specialty chemicals maker Borealis AG has installed a 1-MWp photovoltaic array on the roof of its production site in Linz to reduce its carbon footprint.

The solar plant was built within six weeks in cooperation with energy company Verbund AG (VIE:VER) on an area of 4,794 sq m, Borealis said on Wednesday.

The solar system started pilot operations at the beginning of May. Once fully operational later this month, it will generate around 1 GWh annually which is equal to the electricity consumption of around 250 households. The clean power will enable Borealis to reduce the annual carbon emissions of its site at the Chemical Park Linz by 350 tonnes per year.

“Like our first solar PV project powering parts of our operations in Monza, Italy, this array complements the multiple power-purchase agreements we have signed in recent months to source renewable energy from wind farms for our production operations in Finland, Sweden, and Belgium," said Borealis chief executive Thomas Gangl.

At its location in Linz, Borealis employs around 1,300 people in the production, marketing and sales of melamine and fertilisers.

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