Blount Fine Foods Announces Large-Scale Solar Energy System at Its Headquarters Plant
Blount Fine Foods, a leading manufacturer of hand-crafted artisan soups and seafood products, today announced that the plant expansion currently underway at its Fall River, Mass. headquarters will now include the installation of an Alteris Renewables 100kW solar electric system, one of the largest in Southeastern Massachusetts. Alteris will provide the design, engineering and installation for the system, which will be installed on the roof of the plant expansion currently under construction at Blount, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Blount Fine Foods.
The new facility will also have a state-of-the-art central refrigeration system, which is undergoing a controls upgrade to allow Blount to refrigerate the facility utilizing the most current energy efficiency measures, will also include high speed doors, energy efficient lighting and a white roof.
"The fact that Blount Fine Foods is joining leading businesses across the country to support clean and affordable renewable power sources is consistent with our long-standing commitment to being good stewards of the environment," said Todd Blount, president of Blount Fine Foods. "What began generations ago as a caring seafood company's commitment to our oceans and fish, has expanded to today include a commitment to our entire natural environment."
The decision to move forward with the solar project was not just socially responsible; it also made good business sense for the 130 year old company. Blount will be able to use the electricity it generates on its roof, which significantly reduces the company's overall energy purchase costs. Due to federal tax credits and state incentives, including low-cost financing through MassDevelopment, the project should pay for itself within the first four to five years. The system has a life of at least 25 years.
"With record low prices for solar panels and the availability of unprecedented levels of state and federal funding, this is an ideal time for companies to go solar," said Ron French, president of Solar Business for Alteris Renewables. "We are pleased to be chosen to be part of a project like Blount's and believe it serves as an example for other businesses in Southern New England that want to make an investment that is both socially and economically responsible."
The proposed solar energy system will reduce world CO2 emissions by 4,844,385 pounds over the course of 25 years, which is the equivalent to the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of 267 homes for one year.
Blount is already one of the leading organic waste recyclers in New England and last year converted 3,650 tons of organic material into compost and premium landscape materials, which otherwise might have been solid landfill waste. During the past 12 months, the company also recycled more than 165 tons of cardboard and paper.
Learn more about Blount's sustainability efforts at www.blountfinefoods.com/sustainability .
About Blount Fine Foods
Blount Fine Foods is a family owned company that has been processing food since 1946. It is the largest manufacturer of lobster bisque in America and produces more than 350 proprietary soup recipes, including 75 varieties of clam chowder alone. Its product lines include fresh and frozen gourmet soups for food-service and retail as well as custom clam meat products and breaded seafood. Blount's gourmet soups and specialty foods are made with the finest and freshest ingredients, handcrafted by a dedicated team through unparalleled customer collaboration.
Blount operates production facilities at its Fall River, Massachusetts headquarters and in Warren, Rhode Island. Customers include national restaurant chains that have their custom soups made for them in accordance with their secret recipes. Similarly, the deli departments of many large and small supermarket chains offer Blount-created hot-to-go soup selections as well as fresh store-brand pre-packed soup cups.
Blount also carries a full line of fresh and frozen soups sold to Restaurants, Club Stores and Retailers nationwide under the Legal Sea Foods and Panera Bread brands. Blount specialty clam products are used by other famous soup makers, restaurants and retailers alike.
Blount generates over 60 million servings of hand-crafted gourmet soups each year.
About Alteris Renewables
Alteris Renewables is the largest design-build renewable energy company in the Northeast, with more than 3,000 completed installations across six states. Ranked as one of the top ten fastest growing energy companies in the Inc. 500, Alteris provides turn-key solar electric (photovoltaic or PV), solar thermal, and wind energy solutions for commercial, residential, education, government and institutional clients. The company has industry-leading expertise in engineering, design, project management, performance analysis, project financing and renewable energy credit programs. More information about the company can be found on the website, www.AlterisInc.com