According to Cogenra, the solar cogeneration system will lower Clover's greenhouse gas emissions, and also result in more than 50% energy savings at the plant.
Cogenra's solar cogeneration installation combines solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation with solar hot water (SHW) production. The installation will decrease Clover's GHG emissions by 32 metric tons each year.
In addition, the system, which spans less than 1,500ft² atop Clover's dairy processing plant, provides renewable electricity and 6,000 gallons of solar hot water daily for the Clean-in-Place (CIP) process at the plant. The system offsets about 50% of the plant's energy used for the wastewater heating process.
Clover Stornetta president and CEO Marcus Benedetti said that all the company's products are produced sustainably.
"And with the latest addition of the solar cogeneration system we are now saving money on our energy bills," Benedetti added.
