Largest Solar Rooftop System in California's Central Valley; $25 Million Savings Expected Over the Next 30 Years
SAN FRANCISCO, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Del Monte Foods (NYSE: DLM) and SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) will dedicate today a new 1.9-megawatt solar power system installed at two of Del Monte's manufacturing plants. Combined, the two installations represent the largest solar rooftop system in California's Central Valley. The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 95 million pounds over 30 years, which is equivalent to planting 9,800 acres of trees or not driving almost one billion miles on California roads, as determined by conversion formulas provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Del Monte estimates the system will deliver approximately $500,000 in savings on electrical costs in the first year of operation, and $25 million over its expected 30-year lifetime.
The celebration will take place at Del Monte's Hanford, Calif. plant, which is hosting a 1.2-megawatt SunPower solar installation. At the company's Kingsburg plant, just 33 miles from Hanford, SunPower designed and built a 759-kilowatt installation. In recognition of the importance of this milestone for Del Monte, California State Senator Dean Florez will be in attendance for the event.
'With this new solar power system at our Hanford and Kingsburg plants, we recognize Del Monte's continuing commitment to environmental sustainability and the communities in which we work, a commitment that literally extends from the fields to the grocery shelf,' said Del Monte Foods Chairman and CEO Rick Wolford. 'Since our beginning 150 years ago, the sun has fueled the growth of our fruit and tomato products. It will now help to power our California canneries as well, as we continue to provide our consumers with nutritious, great-tasting products produced with the addition of even more sunlight. At Del Monte, our environmental efforts support our mission of Nourishing Families, Enriching Lives, Every Day. Today, we are truly 'Enriching Lives with Light'.'
Combined, the new solar system features 9,080 solar panels, covering nearly 200,000 square feet of rooftop - roughly the equivalent of three and a half football fields.
