Major Strides for Sustainability Program: Mendota Manufacturing Facility’s Solar Success

by hanna_kowal | April 26, 2026 11:33 am

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The completion of a new rooftop solar installation in a manufacturing facility in Mendota, Ill., exemplifies metal’s role in streamlined renewable energy design. This project marks the third solar installation across Kingspan Insulation North America, following similar installations at its facilities in DeLand, Fla., and Winchester, Va.

Accessible sustainability with metal roofing and attachments

The use of a standing seam metal roof allows this pre-existing structure, which was initially acquired in 2021, to adapt to the addition without being obtrusive to the building. For this retrofit, racking was attached to the seam ribs using specialized metal roof clamps, which do not require penetrating the roof. This enables an overall efficient installation process.

Metal roofing provides a durable and strong base for affixed solar panels, and often have lifespans that outlast solar panels’ typical lifespan, allowing the system to continue operating for over two decades without interference for roof replacement.

A manufacturing facility milestone

For this project, Kingspan worked alongside project partners REC Solar and Dynamic Energy, marking another milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to renewable energy and operational sustainability.

The 881-kilowatt rooftop solar system, installed across approximately 4,645.2 m² (50,000 sf) of roof space, is expected to generate roughly 1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, offsetting approximately 700 metric tons (771.6 tons) of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The plant employs 39 people and produces expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation used in a range of commercial and residential building applications.

Operational excellence: a retrofit driving commercial success

In commercial design, building owners and occupants can reap lasting benefits from integrated solar, whether it be an installation during a project’s initial construction, or years after. This project exemplifies how solar additions can be long-term investments that are efficient economically as they are environmentally.

Developed and installed by Dynamic Energy, the system is owned and operated by REC Solar through a 25-year power purchase agreement.

Oliver Davis, president and COO of Dynamic Energy says, “With U.S. industrial electricity rates continuing to rise, this project demonstrates how sustainability and sound business planning go hand in hand.” He recognizes the project’s “forward-thinking approach to reducing emissions while gaining control over rising energy costs.”

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/daily-news/manufacturing-solar/

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