Our Solar Panels, What do they do?
With the recent Earth Day focus and post, I started thinking I should share the GH solar panels.
General Hydroponics is dedicated to reducing our impact on the enviroment, and when it comes to being the world’s largest manufacturer of hydroponic nutrients, one of our major impacts is energy. In 2005 the decision was made to install a solar array on the roof of the warehouse. The goal was to reduce the electricity drawn from the grid, and replace it with sustainable power.
The array generates 75,000 watts of electricity. That provides about half the power required here. The system cost $1.2 million, but the investment is well worth it, with the return coming not only in dollars, but also ecological savings.
Ian Brooke, son of GH founder, Lawrence, took some really amazing photos of the panels using a remote controlled helicopter.
Here’s a shot from the chopper’s perspective, before takeoff.
This photo shows the panels, and part of the parking lot.
This shot has the factory, the large greenhouses, and the small greenhouse in it.
This is Ian Brooke, the photographer and pilot.
Posted: April 29th, 2009 under Knowledge.
Comments
Comment from Ragnar
Time April 30, 2009 at 1:23 am
While beeing a big investment to start with, solar (or any renewable energy source for that matter) will pay off over time, especially when governments start taxing for the actual damage a company does to the environment. So even companies that don’t give any thought about the environment today will start getting into it.
Comment from Jonathan
Time May 1, 2009 at 2:17 pm
^^ Who are these guys? they keep posting here… email me guys…
Comment from Tiger Lilly
Time May 1, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Red, Ragnar, meet Jon. Jon is our resident engineer, who is completing his final year at Cal Poly, his email is jon(at)genhydro.com. Jon, Red and Ragnar are the most active readers of the GH blog, they both add really great things.
Comment from Photovoltaic Cells
Time July 13, 2009 at 4:30 am
Thanks for given this useful post…
Comment from Red Icculus
Time April 29, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I deal with a lot of business folks during my day and I get a quick feel for their corporate culture. Because of the priority of GH to contribute back instead of just take dollars for merchandise, this is absolutely one company I could see myself working for. You guys are awesome for not just trying to make a living, but making something worthwhile for all the people you deal with.