New solar facility brings local power to agricultural gem
SAINT PAUL, Minn., July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Among the fruit trees and berry bushes of Afton Apple Orchard, two solar panels have grown. A rooftop array installed over a workshop in 2018 is now complemented by a larger array atop a barn recently added to the property. All solar energya full-service solar energy solutions provider, designed and installed the systems to provide clean, on-site energy to the family orchard located in Hastings, Minnesota.
Nestled in the St. Croix River Valley on approximately 250 acres, Apple Afton produces Minnesota crops beyond apples, including raspberries, pumpkins, and more. The grounds are a seasonal destination for family activities like U-pick produce, a corn maze, playground and children’s farm. The retail store sells cider, pies, jams, and other items, in addition to pre-picked fruits and vegetables.
“The Femling family and staff at Afton Apple Orchard have always embraced sustainability, the concept of giving back and doing good to the community. Supporting their property with solar power not only helps Afton Apple significantly reduce its water consumption network energy, but also showcases their environmental commitment to thousands of visitors each year,” said Michael Thalhimer, Business Development Manager at All Energy Solar. “This project was important to the Femlings; we are delighted to support the company and its mission to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.”
The rural location and agricultural orientation make Afton Apple an ideal candidate for locally sourced electricity from solar power. The new 79 kilowatt system’s solar panels will represent more than 90,000 kWh of first-year power generation, supplying most of the electricity needs for the retail store, machinery, lighting, refrigeration and outbuildings. from the orchard.
“Interest in our solar project was originally driven by my husband, Frank, who has always believed in renewable energy and looked for ways to make our operations more efficient, in order to reduce costs,” said Cindy Femling, owner of Afton Apple. “Frank’s legacy was to set up the orchard for the success of our children, and completing this solar project was a big part of that effort.”
“Our goal is to make the property successful when the next generation of our family takes over the business in the future. Energy is one of the biggest costs we face,” Femling continued. “Solar power is renewable, reliable and local, and we believe the cost savings over time will help reduce orchard operating costs for decades to come.”
The solar facility supports Afton Apple’s commitment to minimizing the orchard’s environmental footprint while growing high-quality produce to keep the farm economically viable. Projected environmental benefits over 25 years are equivalent to over 1,500 tonnes of CO2 offset.
Learn more about Afton Apple https://www.aftonapple.com/ and all large-scale solar power projects https://www.allenergysolar.com/for-businesses/
About All Energy Solar
All Energy Solar offers a full-service solar power integration experience for residential, commercial, agricultural and government customers looking to make the switch to solar power. www.allenergysolar.com.
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SOURCE All Energy Solar, Inc.
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