VERMONT, USA (Commodity Online):Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) has flipped the switch on its new solar array, sending solar energy collected from the roof of its Waterbury distribution center to power its facility.

Construction of the 100 kW photovoltaic array was completed in the summer. The 572 solar panels in the coffee company’s array contribute to Green Mountain Power’s goal of helping Vermonters install “10,000 panels in 1,000 days.” The installation of GMCR’s solar project puts Green Mountain Power at 25% toward this goal.

The solar array dovetails with GMCR’s Changing Climate Change program, an enterprise-wide effort focused on reducing and mitigating GMCR’s carbon footprint through operational incentives, grantmaking programs, carbon offsets and employee benefits. GMCR was the first company to offer group discounts on solar power systems for employees through groSolar’s Employee Green Benefits Program.
Start trading in commodities from as low as $50. Join now

“This solar installation marks a new milestone in our commitment to responsible energy use, one of the primary priorities of our corporate social responsibility program,” said Paul Comey, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for GMCR. “In addition to generating clean electricity for use in our facility, the array also demonstrates the feasibility of solar panels as a viable solution for producing power in Vermont.”

The array at GMCR was the result of an innovative partnership initiated by groSolar that was made possible by financial assistance from the State of Vermont’s Clean Energy Development Fund and Green Mountain Power. (Courtesy: PR-Inside)