October 13/Turlock, Cal./SupHerb Farms Press Release -- SupHerb Farms has recently completed a solar energy installation that will generate up to 325,000 kWh of electricity annually. The power generated provides all of the electricity needed for the company’s administration offices, product safety and quality control lab, and culinary development kitchen.

The state-of-the-art system features 600 solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers that are programmed to follow the sun throughout the day for maximum energy generation. The installation covers almost one acre of land within SupHerb Farms 10-acre facility and was designed and built by JKB Energy of Turlock.

According to Mike Brem, SupHerb Farms’ president, “I am very pleased with our solar energy project. First, it provides us with a clean source of energy for the future. And, just as important, it accomplishes another objective in our sustainability strategy.”

For Brem, sustainability is a process. “It starts with acknowledging that all of our resources, human and natural, are limited and we must balance the need to protect those resources within the context of a strong business model that promotes positive growth for our company,” explains Brem. “Our electricity provider, Turlock Irrigation District (TID), is on the cutting edge of energy sustainability and helped to make this investment possible. We are now generating a portion of TID’s renewable energy and will receive an economic benefit from TID for every kilowatt of electricity we generate for several years.”

Brem also noted that this is the largest solar operation in Turlock and the city was very helpful in the permitting process. “We hope to be an example for other businesses inTurlock and will be happy to share our experience,“ added Brem.

From the November 1, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition