Eco-Friendly Multistory Parking Garage Highlights Wuxi Murata Electronics' Climate Change Initiatives (Part 2)

3. Eco-Friendly Approach Built on Past Experiences and Accomplishments
4. Leading by example

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Eco-Friendly Multistory Parking Garage Highlights Wuxi Murata Electronics' Climate Change Initiatives(Part 1)

3. Eco-Friendly Approach Built on Past Experiences and Accomplishments

The environmentally friendly parking garage was developed in response to inadequate employee parking.

Chen: “Wuxi Murata Electronics employs nearly 10,000 people. With approximately 3,000 employees commuting by bicycle or motorcycle and 500 driving cars, the existing parking facilities in and around the plant were unable to accommodate such a large number of vehicles. This created an urgent need for us to develop a dedicated parking garage.”

This is how the project began; however, there was a specific reason they chose to incorporate solar panels on the walls and rooftop instead of opting for a conventional design.

Chen: “At Wuxi Murata Electronics, addressing climate change is a top priority, and we approach every project with this focus. We had previously installed solar panels on the roof of one of our production facilities, and our climate change action team was committed to utilizing all available spaces for solar panel installation. These experiences and achievements led us to the concept of creating an environmentally friendly multistory parking garage.”

As a result, the initiative began to take shape, and the team set out to install 1,553 solar panels on the large multistory parking garage—a six-story reinforced concrete structure with a building area of 3,499 m² and a total area of 20,360 m².

Chen: “The key focus was on enhancing power generation efficiency. We spent over a year discussing the optimal positioning and angle of the solar panels, as well as how to maximize light entry into the parking garage and other factors. In the end, we managed to increase the solar energy absorption rate per square meter by approximately 20 percent. We accomplished this by using the unique features of the multistory parking garage and installing solar panels on its south- and east-facing walls.”

Solar panels mounted on the wall

The parking garage was designed to allow light into the interior

4. Leading by example

Additionally, Wuxi Murata Electronics chose to use double-sided solar panels on the rooftop for the first time.

Chen: “The front of the panels captures direct sunlight, while the back absorbs light reflected from parked cars and the ground. This strategy enhances power generation efficiency per square meter. For the first year, we estimate an annual power generation of 760,000 kWh and a reduction of 490 tons in CO₂ emissions. The electricity produced is sufficient to power over 300 households for an entire year, and we use it for lighting in the parking garage, charging electric bicycles, illuminating public areas, and more.”

In terms of parking space, the garage can accommodate 1,483 motorcycles on the first and second floors, and 501 passenger cars on the third through sixth floors.

Chen: “Our employees are happy to have more parking space, and we feel that they have become more conscious of the environment. We still have plenty of space available, which should help us welcome even more employees and increase our production capacity. The exterior with solar panels on the walls is aesthetically pleasing and modern, and even enhances our corporate image.”

The finished garage has created quite a stir, attracting attention from various media outlets. Deputy Manager Chen reflects on the project's achievements and expresses pride in the meaningful impact it has made for the company.

Chen: “We made a significant investment in the parking garage, and showed considerable leadership to move forward with the project as a model for climate change initiatives. The Wuxi municipal government shared our vision and provided substantial support in terms of publicity, with government officials participating in events. Establishing this level of cooperation has been one of the most rewarding outcomes."

Deputy Manager Chen states that Wuxi Murata Electronics consistently aware of its social responsibilities, especially given its status as a recipient of the National Civilized Unit award, which honored the company as a model enterprise by the Chinese government in 2017.

Chen: “We have an increased desire – and sense of responsibility – to leverage our environmentally friendly multistory parking garage to draw even more attention and make a greater contribution to society. In the medium and long term, the vision of the Murata Group is to help create a sustainable society by fostering a continuous cycles of social and economic value. As we approach our 30th anniversary, we will continue to instill this philosophy in our employees and pursue climate change initiatives to support the realization of a decarbonized world.”