Fashion giants Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein take lead in rooftop solar

Fashion company PVH Europe, whose portfolio includes Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, has installed the world’s most powerful solar roof at its Warehouse and Logistics Center in Venlo, the Netherlands.

PVH said it is the most powerful solar roof that is currently operational and installed on one singular structure.

The rooftop photovoltaic (PV) plant, with a peak capacity of 18 MW, comprises 48,000 high-performance solar panels. It provides electricity for the Venlo warehouse, which is PVH Europe’s main distribution center covering 110,000 square meters, and for the company’s stores, warehouses and offices in the Netherlands.

Up to 600,000 pieces of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein products are distributed daily from the Venlo warehouse to stores in Europe, the Middle East and Africa or directly to customers.

PVH plans to procure 100% of its electricity from renewable sources for its offices, warehouses and stores

The milestone is another step in PVH’s ambition to procure 100% of its electricity from renewable sources for its offices, warehouses and stores, and to drive a 30% reduction in supply chain carbon emissions by 2030, according to the press release.

As a member of RE100, a corporate renewable electricity initiative led by the Climate Group, the company has committed to procure 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Logistic buildings will be the next generation of solar power plants

Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100 at the Climate Group, said Venlo solar rooftop raises the bar once more for on-site renewables.

“We believe that logistic buildings will be the next generation of solar power plants,” said Philippe Deschilder, CEO of Heylen Warehouses, a Belgian logistics real estate company which owns the Venlo warehouse in a joint venture with AG Real Estate.

Martijn Hagman, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, said it is an incredible milestone for its Warehouse and Logistics Center in Venlo and for PVH Europe’s sustainability journey.

“We have participated in the installation of what we believe is now the world’s most powerful, fully operational solar roof – a huge stride in our commitment to be powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and reduce supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030,” he added.