RICHVALE, Calif.: Lundberg Family Farms, a national leader in organic rice, rice products and US-grown quinoa, today announced that the company has installed and deployed three new solar arrays at its Richvale headquarters – expanding its onsite generation by more than 250% and increasing its annual offset of energy use to 25%, up from 10%. The company now owns and operates six solar arrays throughout the facility.
The project builds on Lundberg’s commitment to invest in clean, renewable power. The new system comprises three separate projects – the largest covering the roof of the company’s new Snacks facility, offsetting 45% of that facility’s annual usage. The second largest, installed at the Harvest Building and Farm Shop, will help offset some 60% of the energy for equipment used to dry and store rice. Finally, rooftop panels in the Administration Office are expected to generate nearly 80% of its energy needs. Together the three projects are sized at 1.15 MW DC and is projected to generate roughly 1,880,000 kWh annually.
Lundberg has long been committed to be a good steward of the land by using resources wisely and by reducing environmental impacts whenever possible. On this new solar initiative, Lundberg partnered with Carlson Electrical Services (CES), Brighter Solutions Energy Consulting (BSEC) and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).
The energy generated by Lundberg’s new solar panel system is equivalent to the energy needed to drive a mid-sized car 44 million miles. It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24,660 tons over the next 25 years, which is comparable to planting more than 1 million trees.
“The Lundberg Family Farms mission statement is: ‘To honor our family farming legacy by nourishing, conserving, and innovating for a healthier world.’ This statement inspires our family and employees with the purpose for our work that started with my grandparents to ‘leave the land better than we found it,’” said Grant Lundberg, CEO of Lundberg Family Farms. “At Lundberg we’re excited to do our part and follow in the footsteps of our founders by looking for ways to nourish, conserve, and innovate for a healthier planet.”
Lundberg is assessing its ongoing energy-generation needs utilizing renewable energy generation sources. Through the next fiscal year, Lundberg’s Sustainability Team will investigate the space and capital required to reach 50%, 75%, and 100% onsite generation, in addition to exploring other technologies that will help meet generation milestones.
About Lundberg Family Farms
Since 1937, the Lundberg Family has been farming rice and producing rice products at their farms in the Sacramento Valley. Now led by its third generation, Lundberg Family Farms uses organic and eco-positive farming practices to produce wholesome rice and quinoa products while protecting and improving the environment for future generations. For more information, visit Lundberg.com and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.
