300 kW Photovoltaic System Installed and Operational at Crystal Rock/Vermont Pure Watertown, Conn., Bottling Facility

WATERTOWN, Conn., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Rock LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vermont Pure Holdings Ltd. (AMEX: VPS), the largest independent home and office distributor of its kind in the United States, today announced that the 300kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company's Watertown, Conn., bottling facility is now operational and generating electricity.

Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell spoke at the system's unveiling today. 'I am proud of Connecticut's commitment to the environment,' Rell said. 'Crystal Rock is setting a wonderful example as a company that equally values the economic and environmental bottom lines.' Also attending the unveiling ceremony were Connecticut State Sen. Rob Kane and State Rep. Sean Williams, the ranking member of the House Energy and Technology Committee.

The installation of 1,661 solar panels to the rooftop of Crystal Rock's bottling facility represents the company's latest effort to reduce its energy footprint and improve its operating efficiency. The solar installation is expected to supply about 28 percent of the facility's total electrical needs; when the facility does not need electricity -- such as weekends and holidays -- it can supply and 'sell' that electricity to the grid at the retail rate. The installation is expected to produce more than 300,000 kW of power annually, with an estimated 124 metric-ton reduction in CO2 emissions.

'We are excited to establish a renewable power source for our own use as well as for the State of Connecticut,' said Peter Baker, CEO of Crystal Rock/Vermont Pure Holdings, Ltd. 'To date, this is our largest capital investment in our continuing effort to be a more environmentally friendly corporate citizen in the communities we serve throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey. We have undertaken lighting and energy efficiency projects at our facilities throughout the Northeast and instituted no-idle policies, and continue to research and experiment with biodiesel and other fuel additives for our truck fleet.