Greentech Lead America: US Foods, a leading food company
in the country, has activated a 430 kilowatt solar power system at its
distribution center in Albuquerque.
US Foods is leasing the solar panels from Distributed
Sun, a commercial solar developer. The new solar panel array will offset the
equivalent of 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 25 years.
In addition to the Albuquerque location, US Foods has installed solar panels to
power distribution centers in Perth Amboy, N.J., La Mirada, Calif., Phoenix and
San Francisco.
Consisting of 1,772 photovoltaic panels, the rooftop
solar array will provide nearly 25 percent of the facility’s energy needs.
At its peak, the solar array will generate 711,000
kilowatt hours annually – enough electricity to power 71 average New Mexico homes.
“US Foods is committed to reducing its impact on the
environment and providing a more sustainable future for our customers and
community,” said John Szurek, division president, US Foods. “This solar panel
system will improve our efficiency and allow us to meet our customers’ needs in
a more sustainable way.”
The solar panel installation is the latest in a series of
green initiatives implemented at the Albuquerque division. Prior improvements
have included green landscaping and installation high-efficiency lighting
throughout the facility.