NewAge(R) Industries To Go Solar With Rooftop Solar Panel Array; Will Produce 50% of Energy Needs
Plastic tubing manufacturer NewAge Industries will have 4000 solar panels installed on its roof that will generate more than 50 percent of its electricity requirements. The project's completion date is during the first quarter of 2011.
Online, September 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Plastic tubing manufacturer NewAge Industries has been awarded a $1 million solar energy program grant from Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. The money will help fund the purchase and installation of a one megawatt (MW) rooftop solar panel system. The array will contribute more than 50 percent of NewAge's energy needs, allowing the company to save energy costs while pursuing green initiatives.
"At NewAge we place a high value on being a responsible manufacturer and considerate member of our community," stated Ken Baker, CEO of NewAge Industries. "By installing the largest solar project in Bucks County, we are helping the environment while reducing our energy costs significantly."
NewAge Industries received the grant as part of an investment by the state of Pennsylvania for advancing clean, renewable energy. The project will receive federal grant dollars as well.
NewAge is partnering with Borrego Solar Systems Inc., based in California, for the installation. The project has already begun with the first step of upgrading the facility's roof to support over 4,000 solar panels. The panels will create an array covering approximately three-quarters of the rooftop on the 244,000 square foot building. The completion date for the entire project, including the generation of electricity, is during the first quarter of 2011. Its expected cost is $4.1 million.
"We chose SolarWorld USA as our panel supplier, because we wanted to work with a company based in the United States," said Baker. Borrego Solar will install the panels manufactured by SolarWorld USA of Hillsboro, Oregon.
Within the past year NewAge Industries took steps to "go green" by replacing its outdated warehouse lighting with energy efficient styles, installing screens on all dock doors to increase ventilation and reduce exhaust fan usage, seal coating its warehouse floors to eliminate concrete dust and dirt, and reorganizing its waste disposal to include recycling and compacting. Collectively these improvements help the company reduce operation costs in addition to being environmentally responsible.
For more information on NewAge Industries and its other green initiatives, contact the Fluid Transfer Specialists(R) at NewAge Industries, Inc., 145 James Way, Southampton, PA 18966; phone 800-50-NEWAGE (800-506-3924) or 215-526-2300; fax 800-837-1856 or 215-526-2190; e-mail: info@newageindustries.com: or visit http://www.newageindustries.com
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