Additional plants totaling 2.3 megawatts may follow at other Grimmway facilities in the future. In 2010, Conergy already helped Grimmway to produce greener carrots by installing a 230 kilowatt plant in Arvin, California. At 3.4 megawatts, the new order is 14 times the size of the first Conergy power plant on the Grimmway farm.
30% of the power demand of the Grimmway farms covered by Conergy power plants
By the end of 2012, Conergy will have completed construction of the first three solar power plants with a total capacity of 3.4 megawatts on three carrot plantations in the Californian Central Valley, in Malaga, Bakersfield and Lamont. In a second phase, two other solar energy plants with a total capacity of 2.3 megawatts may follow at other Grimmway facilities. The 4,760 Conergy PM modules at the three power plants will be producing millions of kilowatt hours of clean power every year. This will allow the company to reduce its electricity costs, and it will cover 30% of the power demand at its carrot farms, including its 100% organic farm. In addition, the power plants will prevent the emission of more than 2,700 tonnes of damaging CO2. This makes for greener carrots in two ways: through purely organic growing methods and through clean energy generation.
Grimmway goes for ecology, quality, and reliability for its solar power plants
The new projects once more confirm the ecological commitment of Grimmway, a recipient of the PG&E Clean and Green Award. The declared goals of the carrot grower are sustainability, environmental protection, and energy efficiency. At the same time, Grimmway requires the highest standards of quality and reliability. We are impressed by the high quality provided by Conergy. Conergy is committed to the same high standards, and thereby fulfills our demands in every respect, said John Noland from Grimmway Inc. Our first Conergy plant has been very successful. It was connected to the grid on schedule, and has been providing excellent yields ever since. This is why we decided to work with Conergy again when awarding these larger systems.
Conergy Board Member Lohoff: Conergy increases its footprint in growth markets.
This major order illustrates once more Conergys excellent position in the international growth markets which we continue to expand, said Marc Lohoff, Conergy CSO for Asia and North America. With our extensive expertise and our quality standards that have recently been certified by TÜV Rheinland we can plan and construct solar power plants that satisfy the highest demands anywhere in the world be it in Germany, Asia, or the USA. The new order indicates that we are on the right track, because Grimmway is now relying on a Conergy power plant for the second time due to their good experiences and more to follow.
Conergy installs additional power plant on refrigerated warehouses of fruit and vegetable producer
Green vegetables are not a new thing for Conergy. The system provider has already equipped numerous agricultural businesses with solar plants. From Californian vineyards to other fruit and vegetable farms. Conergy also designed and installed another 510 kilowatt power plant on the refrigerated warehouses of the fruit and vegetable producer Kirschenman Enterprises Inc. in San Joaquin Valley, California, which was recently connected to the grid and commissioned.
Water power meets solar power: an additional 1.8 MW solar plant for water utility company in Pennsylvania
And theres more to come: The US Conergy team constructed an additional 1.8 megawatt solar park for the water utility company Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. The official opening took place recently in the presence of Pennsylvanian Governor Tom Corbett. Like Grimmway, the water utility company is relying on proven Conergy quality again. Conergy already realized large-scale plants totaling 2.8 megawatts for the water supplier in 2009 and 2011. At 1.1 megawatts, the power plant at Ingrams Mill Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania was the largest solar park on the US East Coast at the time now Conergy is providing solar technology for the 3rd Aqua project. Aqua Pennsylvania will realize yearly savings of about $250,000 USD and drive forward its sustainability course not just with the power of water but also with solar power.
Clenergy recently also announced its participation in Solar Power International (SPI) which is North Americas largest and most comprehensive solar energy trade show.
