Gold Dust Potatoes Embarks On Solar Initiative
Gold Dust Potato Processors, Inc. and Walker Brothers farm plan to install several solar panel stations in the Merrill-Malin area as a part of their sustainable farming plan.
Malin, OR (www.golddustfarms.com) March 9, 2011 – Gold Dust Potato Processors, Inc. and Walker Brothers have been in the process of installing several solar power generating systems on various facilities in the Merrill-Malin area as a part of Oregon’s Feed-In Tariff program. Gold Dust was awarded several allocations for solar power panels, with their potato processing plant being one of the approved locations.
The Oregon Feed-In Tariff program offers incentives for businesses and individuals to set up environmentally-friendly, solar power systems that match their annual power usage. After reviewing the energy used at various facilities, Gold Dust teamed up with RS Energy to apply for the green energy systems. Gold Dust and Walker Brothers have been awarded allocations for several 10KW and 100 KW systems.
Applications were evaluated for power usage as well as the budget of the business to participate in the program. Locations for the solar power systems needed to meet specifications for available space, shade, tilt and orientation to available sunlight. The systems are planned to be installed on the ground at most of Gold Dust’s facilities with one set of solar panels to be located on the top of a storage cellar just west of Malin.
“Not only will we be powering our packing shed with green energy, but some of our storage facilities and irrigation pumps as well,’’ commented Bill Walker, CEO of Gold Dust. “This is another huge step in our efforts towards being a sustainable farm and we are excited to be one of the first farms to take on a project like this in the Klamath Basin.”
Apart from Gold Dust’s sustainable farming initiatives, the solar panels will help the potato processors cut energy costs. Gold Dust and Walker Brothers farming practices were recognized by the National Potato Council with the 2010 Environmental Stewardship Award.
The solar power systems will be installed by RS Energy, the solar affiliate of Russell Construction of Tualatin, OR. For more information about the Oregon Feed-In Tariff program, please visit http://www.oregonfeedintariff.com.
About Gold Dust Potato Processors:
Gold Dust is a family held company that operates from its offices in Malin, Oregon. Gold Dust provides frying and chipping potato varieties to US-based, Central American and Pacific Rim snack-food companies. For more information about Gold Dust, please visit www.golddustfarms.com.
Contact:
Lexi Crawford, Office Manager
Gold Dust Potato Processors, Inc. / Walker Brothers
541.723.2600
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