Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of online marketplace Alibaba Group, has completed several large rooftop solar installations for its warehouses in the cities of Hangzhou and Ningbo in the Zhejiang Province of China.
The photovoltaic (PV) systems cover more than 100,000m2 and can store 7.862MW of energy with an annual power output of over 8,000,000kWh, equal to the energy consumption of 3,000 households a year. This will save an estimated 5,535 tons of carbon annually. Cainiao aims to install similar systems on all its bonded warehouses by 2023, covering more than 500,000m2 .
For the bonded warehouse in Hangzhou, the generated electricity will be used to power energy-efficient operating systems, such as a lighting system that uses sensors to measure the amount of light within the warehouse, before automatically adjusting the lighting. Energy-saving conveyor belts will also switch themselves on or off automatically, depending on real-time parcel volumes. Any additional electricity generated will be directed to China’s national grid.
Sun Beibei, general manager, global supply chain, import business at Cainiao, said, “The successful launch of Cainiao’s first warehouse zone with a photovoltaic power generation system is just the beginning of the sustainable measures that we have planned. We aim to build an eco-friendly global logistics network for our merchants and brands across the globe to reduce carbon footprints together.”