Paradise Energy Solutions installs 68-kW array atop meat production facility

Stoltzfus Meats of energized a 68.64-kW solar system at its fresh sausage and smoked meats production facility in Intercourse, Pennsylvania.

Paradise Energy Solutions installed the system, which will produce 65,000 kWh of clean electricity on an annual basis, offsetting the amount of electricity the company needs to purchase from the local utility.

“Our payback, with the grant money from the state, is projected at less than six years,” said Nate Hershey, project and facilities manager at Stoltzfus Meats. “We felt great about that payback period, especially given the additional non-monetary benefits.”

Stoltzfus Meats had considered going solar in the past, but in 2018, the company’s decision was spurred on by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development, which was awarded to eight Lancaster County solar projects.

This and other financial incentives such as the 30% federal ITC and tax savings on depreciation allowed Stoltzfus Meats to install its solar system with a little upfront cost.

In just a few years, the solar system will have generated enough savings through offsetting utility electricity to pay for itself.

“It’s easy to look at it strictly from dollars and cents and say that the biggest benefit is the cost savings over the life of the system. However, a less quantifiable but key benefit is the opportunity to switch some of our energy use to a renewable source,” Hershey said.

News item from Paradise Energy Solutions