The solar installation provides 100% of the electrical energy to the Ethel Ms plant during peak operating hours.
Mike Wittman, vice president of supply, said: “At Mars Chocolate North America, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world. We are proud of the investments we are making to ensure we are using the earth’s resources responsibly. This newest solar garden moves us closer to our goals of eliminating our carbon footprint at our sites by 2040 and using 100% renewable energy.”
The new Ethel M factory solar garden features 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres, and is the largest solar installation by a food manufacturer in Nevada.
The installation generates 1,258 megawatt hours of zero-emission electricity each year, offsetting 867 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas – the equivalent of removing approximately 170 vehicles from the road, according to the company.
Mars will purchase all of the energy generated by the solar garden and JSI will own the project and its associated energy credits.
Mars worked closely with NV Energy to ensure that the new installation met net metering requirements, enabling Mars to receive energy offsets from the utility based on the amount of energy their solar panels will produce.
Mack Phillips, site director of the Henderson plant, said: “Turning one of the desert’s greatest assets into energy is in complete alignment with Mars’ principles in action, our core business values. Two years ago we unveiled a similar solar project at our North American headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ, and its impact on our operations has been substantial.”
Michael Martin, CEO of JSI, said: “This is the second solar PV project built by juwi solar on Mars-owned property. We are proud to play a role in advancing environmental and sustainability goals by replacing the grid’s brown power with green power generated onsite.”
Source: Mars Chocolate North America
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