HORSHAM, PA. — Bimbo Bakeries USA on April 7 announced a major solar energy installation at its Escondido, Calif., baking plant this summer. Featuring a combination of rooftop and ground canopy structures, the project will feature about 3,150 solar panels that will produce 1,775,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The facility’s 107,500-square-foot solar array will tie into a 1.075 megawatt system and provide increased operational efficiency to the Escondido plant as well as significant environmental benefits. Helping produce 30% of the plant’s power, the solar panels will reduce carbon dioxide emissions at Escondido by 981 tons per year — the equivalent of providing a year of electricity for 156 homes.
“We are excited to further our commitment to sustainability by introducing solar technology to our facilities,” said James McKeown, director of sustainability at B.B.U. “We are always looking for new opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and lead by example with our sustainable projects.” Situated 35 miles north of San Diego, Escondido averages 263 sunny days per year.
