By CEN Staff

DENVER - Nestlé Purina PetCare has taken many steps during the past several years to make its Denver plant more energy efficient.  Now, thanks to a new pilot solar energy array developed by REC Solar, the facilityis manufacturing pet food in an even more environmentally responsible way. 

Gov. Bill Ritter led a dedication ceremony at the plant last Thursday announcing the new 467-panel photovoltaic (PV) system that covers approximately
21,000 square feet atop the facility. The 100-kilowatt
system is the state’s largest privately owned solar array
and will provide about 1 percent of the  plant’s electricity needs.

“This project is the latest evidence of Colorado’s dedication to solar energy and its leadership in the New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said.

“With the passage of Amendment 37* in 2004, Colorado has created a ripe environment for pursuing renewable energy.  It’s encouraging to see major companies in the Denver area like Nestlé Purina take full advantage of the opportunity.”  

The solar array at Nestlé Purina’s plant is the latest in the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce its consumption of fossil fuels.  During the past 5 years, the plant has reduced its energy use by 12.4% per ton of product produced by implementing projects such as installing a new energy efficient boiler; upgrading to higher efficiency lighting throughout the plant; improving compressed air and steam systems; and establishing best practice guidelines for operational efficiencies.  

“Nestlé Purina has taken many steps towards achieving our goal of becoming the leader in environmental sustainability in the pet food industry,” said Mark Burns, vice president and director of manufacturing for Nestlé Purina PetCare. “Utilizing renewable energy at our manufacturing facilities is just one part of our overall company plan to create shared value for society, which means going beyond compliance and sustainability and really making a difference for the long-term.”

To provide the same amount of electricity now produced by the
plant’s 467 solar panels, Xcel Energy would generate nearly
300,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year - an amount
equivalent to that typically emitted annually by 23 cars.  The
solar project makes Nestlé Purina the first pet food manufacturer
to use renewable energy for the production of pet food.

“We worked closely with REC Solar and Xcel Energy to develop
and install a pilot solar system that fits our plant
infrastructure,” said Tom Plywell, operations performance
manager at the Nestlé Purina PetCare Denver plant. “This opens
the door for us to explore expanding this system at our plant,
and to look at adding solar energy systems at some of our other
U.S. facilities.” 

The plant’s solar project is a first-of-its-kind for Nestlé Purina, but it also
marks a landmark commercial project for REC Solar in Colorado.  Known
widely for delivering solar power to more homes across America
than any other solar power company, REC Solar also worked with
Nestlé Purina to offer and install solar systems in the homes
of several plant associates. 

“We are proud to partner with Nestlé Purina, a company that
understands the commercial and environmental benefits of
solar,” said Angiolo Laviziano, REC Solar CEO & President. “We
expect that the focus of the federal stimulus package on
renewables will spur more and more Colorado businesses and
organizations to find ways to increase their sustainability and
reduce their carbon footprint.  In addition, we are proud to
contribute to the local economy by creating more solar jobs in
Colorado.”

The Purina PetCare project is the latest in a series of
successes for REC Solar in Colorado.  The company plans to
expand employment by 10 to 20 percent due to the new
opportunities for clean energy provided by the $787 billion
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The stimulus spending
is expected to have a significant impact on solar installations
in Colorado.

REC Solar’s Colorado offices are located in Westminster at 9042
Marshall Court and can be contacted at (303) 577-9630, or toll
free (888) OK-SOLAR (888-657-6527). For additional information
on REC Solar visit www.recsolar.com