Anaheim, Calif. (December 30, 2009) – SA Recycling, a world leader in the metal recycling and processing industry has constructed the largest commercial solar array in Anaheim. They have partnered with DRI Energy, a proven leader in providing turnkey solar services, to install the system. The solar installation will annually generate the equivalent amount of electricity to power 120 houses for a year.
“We are proud of the cutting edge solutions we have implemented here at SA Recycling, said Terry Adams, executive vice president of SA Recycling. “It may not generate all the power we need, but it will certainly go a long way toward lessening our reliance on the power grid, which in turn will free up a significant amount of electricity for other commercial users and consumers. As good environmental stewards, we thought it was the right thing to do.”
The solar generating project will produce more than 715,000 kWh annually, and is the largest commercial solar array in the City of Anaheim. The project, which covers over 70,000 square feet with solar panels and employed 20 people, will reduce CO2 emissions by over 1,000,000 lbs annually.
The City of Anaheim has a long-standing relationship with SA Recycling. “We seek to partner with growing Anaheim businesses like SA Recycling by providing incentives that help the business become more energy efficient and competitive, help create jobs, and provide an overall benefit to our community at large,” said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.
The project was made possible in large part due to funding provided by the Anaheim Solar Advantage Program through the California Solar Initiative (CSI). The initiative, which began in 2007, provides funding from local, state, and federal entities along with local energy providers, in this case Anaheim Public Utilities. Anaheim’s utility is providing an estimated $1.2 million performance incentive based on actual production of the solar system, which is to be paid over the first five years of energy production. Anaheim has had a relationship with SA Recycling since 1977 and helped build the necessary electric infrastructure to support its growing business needs. Operation of the SA Recycling solar generating system will be recognized with a ribbon cutting set for Feb. 9, 2010.
Over the past decade, Anaheim’s utility has worked with SA Recycling to help the company shift electric use away from the higher cost time periods. This saved SA Recycling millions of dollars. Anaheim Public Utilities also stepped up to provide electric service at higher than previous voltage which allowed the recycler to add a new 7,000-horsepower shredder – capable of shredding 50,000 tons of scrap metal in one month.
SA Recycling is recognized by industry peers as the world leader in the metal recycling and processing industry, primarily because of its efforts to advance safety and environmental technologies within the industry. A full service metal recycler and processor, SA Recycling is responsible for recovering and reusing millions of tons of scrap material, resulting in cleaner air and water for everyone.
