As we all celebrated Earth Day last week, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) also shared some of the amazing work being done around the world. The initiatives unveiled on Earth Day are part of a larger push by the company to decrease its carbon footprint around the world and achieve net-zero emissions for its direct operations. The company is committed to produce or purchase 100% zero carbon electricity for their direct operations globally.
Last week, the company announced a major upgrade to its Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Two new 75-MW Solar facilities that will come online within the next two years will enable the property to obtain nearly half of its power from the sun. When online, the solar panels combined with already online 57MW solar facility are expected to produce enough energy to supply the park with 40 % of its annual power consumption.
Through the innovative use of space, and with a touch of Disney magic, the company is using the Sun to conserve energy and power up in a responsible manner. While using solar energy may not be a new concept for them but the company is pushing the boundaries in their own unique Disney way. Let us take a tour around the world to see its solar arrays in action.
Walt Disney World, Florida
Apart from recently announcing two solar facility, we must not forget the iconic 5MW Mickey Mouse shaped facility which came online in 2016.
Disneyland Paris
The company also announced that solar canopies will be placed over one of the park’s guest parking lot, which ultimately will provide shelter for an estimated 9,500 vehicles. On a technical aspect, the project will produce enough clean energy to power 17% of the resort’s need, also equivalent to the annual energy consumption of a small city. The project would consist 67,500 solar panels for a production of 31Gwh per year.
Disney Cruise Line
A 5-acre solar facility in Castaway Cay, The Bahamas is also close to completion. This facility includes 4,320 solar panels and will generate approximately 70% of the island’s power.
Disneyland Resort
In California, Disneyland Resort includes 1,400 solar panels on top of Radiator Springs Racers.
Disneyland Hong Kong
It is also home to the single largest solar panel site in Hong Kong. The theme park has installed more than 5,000 solar panels across 20 attractions and buildings.
In short, Disney’s solar portfolio across the globe can produce enough energy to power eight Magic Kingdom Parks at Walt Disney World Resort.
On the other hand, Disney has already eliminated single-use plastics at its parks, and has introduced vegan, plant-based options to all dining locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Since 2009, Disney has operated under a long-term vision to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions and is committed to achieve net zero emissions for their direct operations by 2030.
