Industrial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  September 25, 2018

Emmi Roth adds solar panels to WI plant

Emmi Roth, a leading producer of specialty cheese, announced the completion of a solar panel installation at their Platteville, Wisc. plant. The system features 1,602 JA 330-watt panels on the roof of their cheese production facility and is expected to supply 15% of the plant’s annual electricity use.

A statement from the company explained that the project was initiated to support the company’s ongoing sustainability goal. "We want to have the lowest possible carbon footprint we could have in the industry," said Tim Omer, president and managing director at Emmi Roth. "This is another step in our commitment to focus on sustainable initiatives, so it's very exciting for all of us here at Emmi Roth."

The installation, managed by Eagle Point Solar out of Dubuque, Iowa, will reduce the company's carbon footprint by eliminating 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the environment – equal to saving 1.4 million gallons of gas, recycling 43,000 tons of waste or reducing coal usage by 13 million pounds.

The company also recently invested in a new anaerobic digester at the same location in Platteville, Wisconsin, in an effort to lower operational costs and remain environmentally responsible for the waste being produced during their cheesemaking operations. Their investment in the anaerobic technology will also allow them to utilize biogas as a source of energy in the future.