D'Arrigo California

US grower D’Arrigo California has announced the completion of the latest phase of a project to install a new solar power system as part of its transition to clean energy sources.

The installation of an additional 1.1 MW of solar power at its facility in Gonzales, California brings the company’s total solar capacity to 3.3MW. A fourth phase adding another 2.2 MW is expected to come online in the 1st half of 2018.

In addition to the financial savings, the extra solar energy will significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The company has calculated that over 25 years, the new system in Gonzales, designed by CalCom Solar, will offset carbon emissions equivalent to removing 8,750 cars from the road.

“CalCom Solar has been an excellent partner in advancing our sustainability strategies to include increasing amounts of renewable energy,” said John D’Arrigo, president and CEO of D’Arrigo California.

“We have always championed sustainability as a core business practice and it is gratifying to see the fruits of our labour generate solar power to operate our business on clean energy.

“We run on solar not only because of its sustainability benefits, which are significant, but because solar energy is fundamentally a smart business decision.”

Dylan Dupre, CEO of CalCom Solar, said solar power could help agricultural businesses of all sizes to substantially reduce operational costs and improve efficiency.

“The system will provide D’Arrigo California significant utility savings over the next 25 years and provides significant environmental benefits as well,” he stated.