MassMutual Completes Rooftop Solar Project

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) announced today the completion of a $2.4 million solar construction project at its headquarters in Springfield, Mass., reaffirming its commitment to increasing earth-friendly "green" standards in its operations by reducing its environmental impact and improving sustainability.

"By installing more than 600 solar panels on the roof of our headquarters, MassMutual has made great strides at adopting earth-friendly operations, reducing our carbon footprint, and providing a sustainable and renewable source of energy for our campus," said Roger Crandall, President and CEO, MassMutual. "We are very pleased and excited about our renewable energy initiative."

The entire system, which includes 528 photovoltaic and 96 thermal solar panels, was installed on a 40,000 square foot parcel of MassMutual's 9.6 acres of roof on its main campus and has a life expectancy of more than 20 years.  The thermal panels will provide 50 percent of campus hot water needs while the photovoltaic system will provide 111 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 22 average Massachusetts homes annually. The panels will also cut MassMutual's carbon emissions by 1,830 metric tons of CO2 over the life of the system.

The overall project took nearly five months to complete. Various state-of-the-art technologies were used in the project, including a white roof, which is a proven tool for reducing roof temperatures and internal air conditioning expenses, while also increasing the operating efficiency of the solar panels.

"Not only will this solar system reduce our operating costs and fuel consumption, it will also provide an opportunity for other area businesses and organizations to learn about renewable energy technology," said Mr. Crandall.

The project also provided the opportunity to recycle and donate materials that would otherwise go unused. More than 2,000 boards of foam insulation removed from the company's roof were donated to the ReStore, a non-profit home improvement center that sells leftover or unwanted building materials from construction projects at a discounted price. In addition, more than 250 tons of stone ballast were removed from MassMutual's roof prior to the start of the project and will be reused around the company's main campus for drainage and landscaping.

For more information about MassMutual's green initiatives, the solar project and to view a video of construction, please visit www.massmutual.com/environment.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders.  The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives.  MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC (www.finra.org and www.sipc.org; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. For more information, visit massmutual.com.

SOURCE MassMutual Financial Group