Wish Farms invests big in renewable energy

Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms has announced the completion of a large solar project at its Plant City headquarters.

“In many ways, farmers were the first environmentalists,” Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager, said in a news release.

“They had to take care of the land, so it would take care of them.  We are proud to continue that tradition by utilizing 21st-century technology to make a difference for future generations.”

The entire project, which adds to an existing solar array, consists of over 2,100 panels covering 80,000 square feet of warehouse roof space and parking lot covers, the release. The solar project produces 1.6 Gigawatts (1,600,000 kilowatt hours) of energy per year and generates enough power for 117 Florida homes per year, the release said.

“Our warehouse facility has a significant footprint with around 100,000 square feet of refrigerated space, so moving to solar is the right thing to do from an environmental perspective,”

Wishnatzki said. “Not only will it save 36,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, but there will also be significant cost savings over the life of the system.”

The solar panels are anticipated to cover 75% of the yearly electrical use in the warehouse, the release said. The system also feeds nine electric car charging stations at their headquarters, as well as fourteen electric forklifts and pallet jacks.

“It feels good to think of how our process will come full circle,” Wishnatzki said in the release. “Berries are grown by the help of the sun at our farms, and then they are cooled by using power generated from the sun.”