Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) has recently completed South Florida’s second-largest solar roof at Costex Tractor Parts (CTP) headquarters in Doral which provides 90 to 100% of the energy needed for the entire building.
The CTP solar installation is one of 300 solar commercial roof projects by AGT on the 14th anniversary of the company. A total of 3,974 solar panels on the CTP roof delivers 1.6-MW of renewable energy.
“Our goal with this project was to deliver an energy asset that would last for 30 years,” said Clint Sockman, AGT VP. “Costex made green technology a priority from the beginning of their design process. Due to the environmental commitments of the CTP executive team, we collaborated and achieved their long-term vision with integrations which included daylighting with skylights.”
The array was installed across the 182,500-sq-ft rooftop of the CTP facility. It is estimated that Costex will earn annual energy savings of $207,008. Melissa Uribe Gil, VP of CTP, said the company has grown by providing replacement parts for equipment to clients in over 150 countries.
“By reducing carbon emissions, our employees take great pride in being part of a company which is taking amazing steps for the environment,” Uribe Gil said. “This is one of the ways we’re making a difference. Our new facility is a dream of my father (Gilberto Uribe) who wants to make sure future generations will continue to be community-minded.
“We created the headquarters from scratch,” Uribe Gil added. “Today, we are opening the doors for other organizations and industries to join us in this solar energy movement.”
Advanced Roofing CEO Rob Kornahrens started this roofing business with $15,000 borrowed in 1983 from his father. AGT was envisioned when his twin boys, Kevin and Michael, shared a solar roof sample with their dad.
“When we made the decision to get into solar, it wasn’t just a business decision, it was a choice to get even more involved with environmental efforts,” Kornahrens said. “We were already active in efforts such as setting up reefs and community outreach working with county officials. Our goal was to continue being a role model for other companies and achieve green technologies for the long term.”
Today, Michael Kornahrens is the executive VP of AGT and has been instrumental in the growth of AGT achieving more than 300 commercial solar installations since 2007; and his brother Kevin, an executive VP, oversees the company’s information technology, human resources and finances.
“We’re seeing more corporations coming to us with a desire to take advantage of both cost savings and environmental steps,” said Rob Kornahrens. “With the realization of storing energy from solar and not needing a grid, this is the future, which is beginning to gain attention now.”
A recent example of a net-zero facility is the Lung Biotechnology PBC buildings in Jacksonville, where AGT installed five solar carports to protect over 100 vehicles and generate 1.4 million kWh of electricity providing up to 50% if the total energy needed to power the center. Orlando solar installations include a solar carport for Lockheed Martin which saves more than $370,000 in energy costs annually in addition to a similar carport for this company in Oldsmar that protects over 500 vehicles and produces 2.25 MW of energy, enough to power about 300 homes.
To accommodate Florida’s demand for climate change solutions, AGT has acquired a 32,000-square-foot office and warehouse in Tampa Bay.
