A new partnership is reaping benefits for ag growers, processors and distributors across California, delivering high-efficiency, reliable solar systems that harvest green energy while reducing operating costs.
CalCom Solar has become one of the most well-respected EPCs, offering ag-specific energy solutions to California’s farming communities. With the deployment of 100+ MW of solar generating capacity for ag operations, CalCom is responsible for some of the largest ag-solar installations in the Central Valley.
Boviet Solar is a rapidly-growing module manufacturer, offering high-performance solar panels that combine outstanding quality with unparalleled value. Having recently passed the industry’s highest longterm reliability tests, Boviet modules deliver high energy yields in extreme climates, an important consideration given the high climatic temperatures experienced by CalCom’s ag customers in the region.
Boviet’s logistics and delivery program helps CalCom execute flawlessly, with on-time construction schedules that contribute to well-controlled project costs. Together, CalCom and Boviet combine forces to offer reliable and profitable solar solutions that maximize return on investment for California ag operations.
D’Arrigo Brothers, Lagorio Farming and DR Dairy solar installation profiles highlight the benefits of clean solar power generation in agribusiness. These agricultural companies demonstrate their environmental leadership along with strengthening their operations with energy independence, improved energy efficiencies and reduced costs.
D’Arrigo Brothers Company, Salinas, California
Capacity: 2.2 MWdc
Annual Production: 4,320,600 kWh
Date Completed: April 2016
Number of Panels: 7,360
Panel Type: 305W and 310W
Racking: NEXTracker Single-Axis
Challenge: Conserving energy and protecting natural resources is a core value held at D’Arrigo Bros. The company grows, harvests, packs, cools and ships all of its own products. Consolidating its packing and shipping facilities near its fields is an important step in minimizing energy and fuel consumption.
Solution: Boviet Solar’s 72-cell polycrystalline high-efficiency modules were deployed to deliver maximum energy output and optimize the system’s ROI.
Benefit: As the largest customer owned net-metered solar project in Monterey County, D’Arrigo Bros will offset 87% offset of their main cold storage facility, saving $24M over the 25-year lifetime of the system. The clean energy produced by this system is equivalent to sequestering 2,865 acres of forest, or reducing CO2 emissions equivalent to 308 homes every year.
Lagorio Farming Inc., Madera, California
Capacity: 1.1 MWdc
Annual Production: 3,059,600 kWh
Date Completed: April 2016
Number of Panels: 3,600
Panel Type: 305W
Racking: Ground-mount, fixed tilt
Challenge: For over 60 years, Lagorio Faming has been growing, packing, and shipping the finest quality fruits and nuts worldwide. With over 10,000 acres in production, Lagorio sought to reduce its operating costs and optimize its energy conservation across multiple sites.
Solution: CalCom installed a system using Boviet’s high-performance 72-cell polycrystalline modules to service multiple meters and service points. Interconnecting this system required CalCom to upgrade a transformer switchgear, remove a fallow vineyard and convert a packing shed.
Benefit: By aggregating its system over multiple sites, Lagorio Farming increased the ROI of its system, the value of its investment. By offsetting 67% of its energy usage, Lagorio will dramatically reduce their utility expenses over the lifetime of the system.
Capacity: 549 kWdc
Annual Production: 1,118,600 kWh
Date Completed: April 2016 Number
of Panels: 1,800
Panel Type: 305W
Racking: Ground/Single- Axis
DR Dairy, Chowchilla, California
Challenge: DR Dairy chose CalCom Solar for its solar installation based on the company’s expertise in helping dairy operations reduce energy costs and improve sustainability.
Solution: CalCom Solar installed 1,800 Boviet 72-cell polycrystalline modules, combining high-performance panels with efficient single-axis trackers to maximize energy production while holding down installation costs.
Benefit: DR Dairy will benefit from $9M reduction in utility expenses over the lifetime of the system. In generating 1,118 megawatt hours per year, the company reduces approximately 771 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to taking 162 passenger cars off the road or avoiding 276 tons of landfill waste each year
Case study submitted by Boviet Solar