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*SunChips, Frito-Lay's popular line of multigrain snacks, is living up to its name by using solar energy to help make some of the snacks at its California-based manufacturing facility. *

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger inaugurated the new solar field on Earth Day (22 April). The recently installed solar concentrator fields at the facility, one of seven locations where SunChips snacks are made in the US, will help drive the actual production of thousands of bags of 'solar-powered' SunChips daily. The solar field project is a result of a partnership with the California Energy Commission.

“I commend Frito-Lay and the California Energy Commission for working hand in hand to build this innovative project,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “The plant will harness the power of Central Valley sunshine to reduce its natural gas use, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, all while helping us meet our renewable energy goals.”

“Frito-Lay is committed to utilising innovative programs and technologies that help minimise our impact on the environment,” said Leslie Starr Keating, senior vice president, operations, Frito-Lay North America. “By harnessing the power of the sun at our Modesto facility, we continue on our environmental journey and demonstrate that we can be positive stewards of our business and the planet.”

The new five-acre solar concentrator field includes 54,000 square feet of concave mirrors designed to absorb sunlight. The solar energy captured by the 192 solar collectors will generate steam that helps heat the cooking oil used in the SunChips manufacturing process. By utilising steam in the manufacturing process, the facility will be able to significantly reduce its use of natural gas.