Nov 9 2010
Campbell Soup is planning with BNB Napoleon, a subsidiary of Exton, Pennsylvania-based BNB Renewable Energy, to construct a solar project worth $21.6 million in Napoleon to supply electric energy for its food production unit.
The company also plans to donate the site for the proposal. The spokesperson for Campbell Soup, Anthony Sanzio stated that the agreement with BNB is still under consideration. The company has two plants in the 730-acre Napoleon site and about 1,000 employees are working at the plants.
Campbell Soup Supply Co. Napoleon facility
BNB Napoleon, which plans to fund, construct, own, and manage the proposed facility, has secured a $10.5 million fund from the Ohio Department of Development (ODO). The chief economic development officer of the ODO, Mark Barbash said that the Ohio Enterprise Bond Fund’s loan would be employed to purchase equipment and machinery for the proposed facility, which is anticipated to commence in the first quarter of 2011.
State officials stated that Campbell has plans to enter into a power purchase deal extending for 20 years to purchase all the power generated from the proposed solar project, which would produce nearly 50 MW per year. The San Jose, California-based SunPower Corp. would supply the solar panels for the proposed facility. Barbash commented that the local solar power companies such as First Solar Inc. located in Arizona and Toledo-based Xunlight Corp. would be considered as suppliers.