Mars Chocolate N. America Unwraps New Solar Garden at Ethel M Chocolate Factory
Mars issued the following news release:
Mars Chocolate North America, makers of Las Vegas' own Ethel M Chocolates, announced today the grand opening of a new solar garden at its Henderson chocolate factory. The state-of-the-art solar installation provides 100 percent of the electrical energy to the Ethel Ms plant during peak operating hours.
The project's completion was commemorated with a ribbon cutting event attended by state and local government officials, executives from NV Energy, juwi solar Inc. (JSI), and Mars Chocolate North America leaders.
"At Mars Chocolate North America, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world," said Mike Wittman, vice president of supply. "We are proud of the investments we are making to ensure we are using the earth's resources responsibly. This newest solar garden moves us closer to our goals of eliminating our carbon footprint at our sites by 2040 and using 100 percent renewable energy."
The new Ethel M factory solar garden features 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres, and is the largest solar installation by a food manufacturer in Nevada. The installation generates 1,258 megawatt hours of zero-emission electricity each year, offsetting 867 metric tons of greenhouse gas - the equivalent of removing approximately 170 vehicles from the road. The project will generate as much energy as 115 Nevada households use annually.
At Ethel M's Chocolates Factory Tour, Henderson, Nevada.
At Ethel M's Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden, Henderson, Nevada.
Flower on Red Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus pilosus). Slight contrast adjustments made with Qtpfsgui to improve definition of petals. At Ethel M's Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden, Henderson, Nevada.
New growth on a purple pancake cactus (Opuntia violaceae var. santa rita). At Ethel M's Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden, Henderson, Nevada.
At Ethel M's Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden, Henderson, Nevada.