by Thomas Miner

General Mills announced the completion of a major solar energy initiative yesterday as its Methuen, Massachusetts facility became the first in the company to produce its own electricity via solar power. The installation is expected to provide 80 percent of the facilities energy needs in the summer and 40 percent during winter months.

While the Methuen facility is the first in the U.S. to produce its own energy using photovoltaics, other global facilities have instituted renewable energy projects and innovative energy reclamation initiatives. The company’s San Adrian, Spain, facility receives 100 percent of its electricity and one third of its overall energy from renewable energy sources such as wind power. The company is also constructing a biomass burner at its oat-milling facility in Fridley, Minn., that will burn leftover oat hulls from the milling process to produce about 90 percent of the steam needed to heat the plant and make oat flour.

The solar installation in Methuen will produce the following benefits for the General Mills:

- The panels provide a year-round average of 55 percent of the annual electricity consumed by the warehouse building. (80 percent in summer months, 40 percent in winter months)

- The panels generate enough electricity (110.7 kilowatts) to power approximately 12 average Massachusetts homes every year

- Solar power will offset more than 112,000 lbs of carbon dioxide annually – this is the equivalent of taking 10 cars off the road.

Reprinted with permission from Sustainable Life Media