Hyundai Elevator installs solar panels in Shanghai plant, cuts carbon footprint

Hyundai Elevator announced Wednesday that it has completed the installation of a 6-megawatt solar power system at its Shanghai Smart Campus, accelerating towards achieving RE100 — a global initiative to become completely carbon neutral.

The system, which begins full-scale operation in the second quarter, will replace 47 percent of the plant’s total electricity use through renewable energy. Rooftop solar panels were used, following the same installation model as Hyundai’s Chungju Smart Campus in Korea.

The move is part of Hyundai Elevator’s RE100 roadmap, introduced in 2022, which targets 42 percent emissions reduction by 2030, 71 percent by 2040, and full renewable electricity use domestically by 2050. At its Chungju facility, the company has already increased solar capacity to 7.6MW, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent as of 2023, far surpassing its initial goal.

These initiatives are led by the company’s environmental, social and governance subcommittee and supported by ongoing energy-saving campaigns and green vehicle adoption. A new solar system at the Cheonan Logistics Center is also scheduled for later this year.

“This project is a key milestone in realizing carbon neutrality at both domestic and global sites,” a Hyundai Elevator spokesperson said. “It marks a strong step toward leadership in sustainable business.”