Ecologue

Toyota of Corvallis is the first car facility in the world with a LEED Platinum certification and is designed to be net zero energy. We were invited to see the facilities and hear the engineers and builders talk details about the planning process, the building specs, and what to expect in the next year. Read on to learn more!

The goal is to generate more power than it consumes in one year. Net zero energy. A LEED Platinum building. Starting in 2012, Toyota of Corvallis started designs for their new facility. In 2016, the designs have come alive with an entire roof of photo voltaic solar panels, a geothermal heating and cooling system, LED lighting, and efficient insulation throughout.

The entire roof of the facilities is covered in solar panels, which is one of the biggest installations the installer had done. The panels should create enough energy to power 25 homes (300,000 kwh/year), and last around 35 years. Any solar power not used by the car dealership will be returned to the grid. Other sustainability strategies include outlets that turn off at night to conserve energy, water reduction, and water-saving landscape design.

The presenters emphasized how important occupant behavior matters in obtaining the goal of net zero. All staff members at Toyota of Corvallis must be conscious of their energy use, and turn lights off when not in use, and evaluate their own footprint within the building at work. Energy usage matters and has an expense, no matter where the energy is coming from.

Thank you, Chip Edwards, General Manager of Toyota of Corvallis, for inviting our office to the open house event.

If you are interested in getting a tour of the new facilities, please contact the OSU Sustainability Office at sustainability@oregonstate.edu, and follow us on our social media! We are setting up a tour field trip soon. Stay tuned!