Aug 30 2010
Carlson Orchards, a fruit orchard located on the east coast of United States, has become solar savvy and installed solar power panels to power its orchard facilities.
The company has installed over 1,050 solar panels over an area of 2 acres out of the total 120-acre orchard and its facilities. The 220 kW ground mounted solar system of the orchard is the largest in the state of Massachusetts.
The installed system will cover nearly two thirds of the total power requirement of the orchard, thus reducing its yearly payments towards energy costs from US$80,000 to about US$20,000. Also the system will reduce the generation of carbon dioxide emissions to the tune of around 3,700 metric tons every year. The power produced by the solar system will be utilized by the orchard to power its large-sized refrigeration buildings and cider press.
The orchard project costing around US$1.25, received funding from Federal and State governments, private sources and grants, was installed by Lighthouse Electrical Constructions along with architect Stephen Kelleher who assisted in the construction of the facility. The ES-A-210W solar panels installed at the facility were provided by Evergreen Solar Inc while the facility features the inverter and data acquisition system, manufactured by Solectria Renewables.. The solar system installed at a high visibility location will help a number of people visiting the farm to view the facility and be inspired about using green energy.