2-MW Commercial Rooftop Solar at Smartee Dental Facility in China Cuts Expenses, Emissions
Global dental aligner manufacturer Smartee Deni-Technology has reduced its annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions more than 209,000 kilograms per year by installing rooftop solar at its smart factory in Jiaxing, China, the company says.
The facility in Jiaxing is equipped with 20,000 rooftop solar panels which can generate electricity at a capacity of 2 MW. The solar PV output is enough to account for 50% of Smartee Deni-Technology’s energy needs at the site.
The C&I Energy Transition in Manufacturing
"Our solar initiative isn't just about cost saving, it's about redefining manufacturing responsibility," said Junfeng Yao, founder of Smartee, in a statement. "Every aligner we produce now carries a lighter environmental footprint."
The company also installed energy-efficient lighting including solar streetlights, smart LED bulbs and new-generation motors to minimize consumption.
Smartee Deni-Technology produces clear dental aligners and also digital orthodontic solutions. The company has manufactured more than 23 million invisible orthodontic appliances in China alone.
Carbon capture also is a part of Smartee’s sustainability and emissions reduction strategies. Exhaust gas from 3-D printing, thermoforming and laser cutting is treated by fiber cotton and carbon absorption devices before captured and discharged into a exhaust cylinder.
Commercial rooftop solar installation continues to grow at record paces worldwide. In the U.S. last year, the commercial solar segment installed 2,118 MW (nearly 2.12 GW) of direct-current power capacity, which was an all-time annual record and 8% higher than in 2023, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
