BOONE, Iowa—A new partnership has given Fareway Stores access to the benefits of solar power as Alliant Energy placed the one-megawatt Fareway Solar Field into service last week. The project consists of nearly 2,000 solar panels at the grocery chain’s distribution center in the Boone Industrial Park.
The energy company will own, operate and maintain the Fareway Solar Field as part of the Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables program. The site will generate renewable energy for all Alliant Energy customers and renewable energy credits for Fareway to offset a portion of its carbon emissions.
“This project is a terrific addition to our distribution center campus here in Boone,” said Pat Goldsmith, Fareway’s Vice President of Facilities and Projects. “Partnering with Alliant Energy on the production of clean energy for years into the future is a great extension of our company legacy.”
Fareway recognized the importance of conserving natural resources long before “green initiative” and “carbon footprint” became everyday language. In 1955, Fareway began heating stores by reclaiming heat generated by refrigeration compressors. Today, annually Fareway recycles 850,000 pallets, 12,500 tons of cardboard, 400 tons of plastic shrink wrap, 4,500,000 plastic grocery sacks, and 5,000 gallons of waste oil.
“We’re proud of this partnership with Fareway as it brings Alliant Energy’s first Iowa-based customer-hosted solar project into operation,” said Mason Adams, senior key account manager at Alliant Energy. “Expanding access to low-cost renewable energy to all customers keeps affordability at the heart of everything we do. This is an exciting milestone as we move toward a more reliable and sustainable energy future.”
The Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables program enables qualified customers with available land to host solar facilities and receive annual lease payments. The Fareway Solar Field also furthers Alliant Energy’s goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Learn more about the Fareway Solar Field at alliantenergy.com/farewaysolar.
Alliant Energy places Fareway Solar Field into operation
(contributed press release)
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