A leading manufacturer of chocolate for the confectionery, baking, and ice cream industries, Guittard, has added solar panels to its Fairfield, CA facility. The company’s spokesperson said that the project exhibits its commitment to consistently work to reduce their environmental impact through renewable energy, water conservation, as well as waste reduction practices.
The recently completed 1500kW rooftop solar installation over its includes around 2,992 solar panels. The project is expected to generate 1.7 Million kWh of power every year which will eventually offset 50% of the facility’s demand. The newly constructed PV system over the 291,000 square-foot Fairfield facility will significantly reduce the company’s environmental footprint. The solar energy captured is estimated to save 1,217 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to removing 263 cars from the road.
As the oldest, continuously, family-owned and operated chocolate company in the United States, Guittard Chocolate Company, now under the fourth and fifth generation of family management, is one of the world’s most respected makers and suppliers of premium chocolate over the past 150+ years. Guittard also maintains its commitment to social responsibility through supporting sustainable cocoa farming and local community organizations.
CleanFund provides $3.4M in C-PACE to support the solar project for the Guittard Chocolate Company. Assessment Financing is a public improvement finance mechanism that has been around for more than 100 years to fund public works projects. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a public improvement finance mechanism to fund improvements to qualifying properties, namely projects that reduce energy and water usage, and which are deemed in the “public good”.
Let’s not forget to mention that the company will benefit from tax incentives on their solar investment in addition to $3.4M immediately available CleanFund C-PACE financing.
“The success of our business depends on our ability to be smart with our finances. It’s a balancing act between the needs of our business and our desire to grow and be a positive leader in our community. When CleanFund presented a solution that allowed us to not only make the necessary improvements but also invest in sustainable operations, we knew this was an opportunity to improve our bottom line and honor our commitment to creating a sustainable product.” Gary Guittard CEO & Owner of Guittard Chocolate Company.
