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January 22, 2009
SRP EarthWise Solar Announces Largest Customer-Owned Solar Energy System in Arizona Begins Generating Electricity
Tolleson, Arizona
The largest customer-owned solar energy project in Arizona, located at the Gatorade manufacturing and distribution facility in Tolleson, Ariz., has begun generating electricity, officials with The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo (PEP), and Salt River Project (SRP) announced today. The photovoltaic system, installed by SPG Solar on
the roof of the 797,000 square-foot distribution center, is expected to
produce more than 783,000 kilowatt hours per year – the equivalent amount
needed to power about 51 Valley households for a calendar year – and will
result in an estimated carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction of about 392 metric
tons a year or 9,800 metric tons over 25 years. Millions of Gatorade bottles are manufactured and warehoused at the Gatorade site, which has already received Gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The cost of the installation was offset by an incentive from the SRP EarthWise Solar program as well as state and federal tax credits. PepsiCo’s Gatorade facility has become SRP’s largest EarthWise Solar Energy commercial customer with the installation of the 500-kilowatt system. This initiative marks yet another step by PepsiCo’s Gatorade toward creating an energy-efficient and sustainable facility.
The solar panels will generate electricity through advanced photovoltaic devices that capture the sun’s energy. Adjacent to the distribution center is the manufacturing facility, which produces 59 million cases of Gatorade product a year. “We are proud to be a part of PepsiCo’s commitment to environmental stewardship and encourage other Valley businesses to invest in this clean energy source,” said Lori Singleton, SRP Manager of Sustainable Initiatives and Technologies. In addition to Tolleson, Gatorade has two facilities in the elite LEED-Gold certification category, including Pryor, Okla. and Wytheville, Va. The Tolleson facility earned this special recognition by helping to deliver energy and environmental optimization, maximizing the use of supply water and optimizing wastewater treatment efficiency. The facility also installed state-of-the-art energy-saving measures such as high-efficiency lighting systems and has placed a top priority on respecting the ecosystem and habitat during site planning and development which is a critical element of sustainability. All PepsiCo divisions have active sustainability programs in the areas of water, energy and packaging – the three areas where the Company can make the biggest impact. PepsiCo’s efforts have already resulted in significant resource conservation and environmental benefits.
About SRP Earthwise Solar Energy The EarthWise Solar Energy program is designed to help reduce the cost of installing a new solar electric or solar water heating system for residential and business customers who invest in the clean, zero-emissions energy source. An incentive of $2.50 per watt is available for business customers who install solar electric systems larger than 20 kilowatts. The program determines the incentive payment to the customer based on the projected energy production of the system. This approach encourages customers and installers to invest in the most efficient products available. For more information, log onto www.srpnet.com/solarbiz or contact David Felix at SRP at david.felix@srpnet.com
About SPG Solar, Inc. SPG Solar, Inc. is a proven leader in the design and installation of photovoltaic power systems. With over 1,200 grid-connected PV systems in service throughout the Western United States and a senior staff with decades of experience in electrical engineering, construction and project development, SPG Solar provides our customers with the very best in solar technology and professional design-build services. SPG Solar delivers innovative and dependable solar systems with the highest quality of workmanship from the initial customer consultation to the final system commissioning and post installation analysis. For more information, please visit: www.spgsolar.com.
About PepsiCo PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with 2007 annual revenues of more than $39 billion. The Company employs approximately 185,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 18 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the Company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the Company's impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. As a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America), PepsiCo is a recognized leader in sustainability. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.
About Gatorade The Gatorade brand is a division of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP). The Gatorade hydration portfolio includes the nation’s leading sports drink, Gatorade® Thirst Quencher, as well as Gatorade Tiger™ G2 and Propel Fit Water. Gatorade is backed by more than 40 years of research and is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes, and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Gatorade Tiger is a brand extension of Gatorade Thirst Quencher, providing the same carbohydrate energy to fuel muscles as Gatorade Thirst Quencher while containing 25 percent more electrolytes to advance fluid and electrolyte replacement. G2 is a low calorie, lifestyle beverage containing electrolytes. Propel Fit Water is a lightly flavored alternative to plain water with just 10 calories per eight ounce serving and essential vitamins. PepsiCo’s overall hydration portfolio includes leadership products from the Gatorade portfolio as well as SoBe Life Water, Aquafina and Tropicana. No other beverage company helps quench thirst on more occasions and in more great-tasting ways. For more information, please visit www.gatorade.com and www.pepsico.com. Content Copyright 2009 - SPG Solar, Inc. |