Illinois hog farm commissions 3-MW solar project

• One of the nation's biggest pork producers is offsetting its energy costs with a 3.06-MW solar project. Solential Energy began construction on the array at The Maschhoffs' Griggsville, Illinois feed mill in mid-May.

The project, incorporating 6,800 ground-mounted, fixed-tilt solar panels, will certainly be completely installed as well as creating power by October 2022. The Maschhoffs anticipate first-year energy savings of $320,000 as well as 25-year accumulated savings of greater than $11.3 million.

" In 2022 alone, we have actually seen our energy costs increase considerably, drastically impacting our operating costs and threatening our competitiveness as well as the state of Illinois's $1.1 billion pork creating market," stated Chairman Ken Maschhoff. "Adopting renewable solar energy to offset climbing energy costs is strategically required. The Maschhoffs have actually constantly been trendsetters, and we embrace the chance to transform our operation with more sustainable techniques, take control of our energy manufacturing as well as costs, and also do our part in reducing the carbon impact of our operations."

The Griggsville Feed Mill is the primary feed facility for The Maschhoffs, which processes 350,000 tons of feed that makes up about 25% of the 1.4 million market hogs as well as feeder pigs the firm increases yearly. It is among the business's most energy-intensive operations, stated Gerry Daignault, VP of support operations.

" Our grain operations are critical to animal care, overall health and pork production. Energy availability and also resilience are critical," he said. "Any type of disruption in power or loss of heat can modify the chemistry of our feed, which consequently influences the development of our pets and also profitability of the business. Including solar to our energy equation enables us to remain to enhance our grain processing and also get the most effective feed to our pets without the tension of higher energy costs."

The Maschhoffs picked Indiana-based Solential Energy to make, construct, and commission the solar project. Solential has greater than a decade of experience in commercial solar projects, microgrids and solar + storage space systems. Solential President Jim Shaw expects much more farmers to count on solar power to make sure the financial as well as social sustainability of their farms.

" In the past, there was skepticism. As solar has come to be mainstream as well as in advance financing with government programs and personal investors has actually come to be much more offered, fostering continues to expand," he said. "With any luck, the Griggsville Feed Mill is simply one of many solar projects for The Maschhoffs."