Penn Herb Company Installing Solar Energy Plant at Company Headquarters

Penn Herb Company is installing a 120 kW photovoltaic power system on the roof of their company headquarters in Philadelphia. This solar power plant will produce an estimated 140,210 kWh of electricity per year. More info at www.PennHerb.com/Solar
By: William Betz, Jr
 
Nov. 13, 2009 - PRLog -- Penn Herb Company, Ltd. has been a Philadelphia landmark since 1924. Privately owned and operated by the Betz family since 1962, Penn Herb Company’s store at 2nd and Spring Garden Streets is well known as the place to go for herbs, spices and natural remedies.

By reaching for natural remedies from the earth, we reconnect with our natural environment and with the traditional medicines of our ancestors. Penn Herb Company and the Betz family firmly believe in taking care of the earth from which these remedies are taken and preserving our natural resources. Several “green” initiatives are underway at the company headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia. As an initial project, all fluorescent office lighting throughout the entire building is being converted to energy saving electronic ballasts, which will result in an estimated energy savings of 97,546 kWh (kilowatt hours) per year.

The other large project currently underway is the installation of a 120 kW photovoltaic power system on the roof of Penn Herb Company’s building at 10601 Decatur Road in Philadelphia. This solar power plant will produce an estimated 140,210 kWh of electricity per year. The system will be tied directly into the electric grid, providing clean solar powered energy not only for Penn Herb, but also other residential and commercial electric customers in the area. These two projects combined are estimated to reduce Penn Herb Company’s electric demand by 62%.

What are some of the benefits of solar technology?

* Solar technology can reduce electricity costs at peak times such as hot days in summer when electricity prices and demand are highest, and can reduce the amount of combustion emissions that contribute to air pollution and global warming.

* Penn Herb Company’s 120 kW solar system is estimated to result in the reduction of annual emissions by 262,800 lbs for CO2, 1632 lbs for SO2 and 408 lbs for NOx.

* Penn Herb Company’s 120 kW solar system is estimated to produce about 140,210 kWh of electricity each year, which is about the yearly electricity consumption for 12 typical Pennsylvania homes.

*Given the average price of electricity in Pennsylvania, the energy cost savings is estimated to be $23,555 per year.

The project is being partially funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Sunshine Small Business Solar Program. In February 2007, Governor Rendell proposed the Energy Independence Strategy to manage energy costs, move toward energy independence and stimulate the economy. Now Pennsylvania is making a $665.9 million investment to spur the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies and help customers and small businesses take steps to reduce their electricity consumption and save money. This program is helping to spur the development of alternative energy resources and create good-paying, skilled jobs for Pennsylvania’s hard-working men and women.

Why is this program beneficial?

* Without Energy Independence, Pennsylvanians will need to build more nuclear or clean coal power plants costing billions of dollars to meet our growing demand for electricity over the next 15 years.

* By investing in clean energy resources, Pennsylvania can generate thousands of good-paying, high-skill jobs for its hard-working men and women.

Governor Edward G. Rendell has stressed the need for small businesses to reduce energy consumption in order to cut costs and stay competitive. The small business community is critical to Pennsylvania’s economic health and vitality. The state’s 262,000 small businesses employ nearly 2 million people and pay more that $19 billion in wages each quarter.

Regarding the grants available to small businesses, Governor Rendell said, “I want to commend these grant recipients for taking advantage of an opportunity. It is not easy to make major business decisions, especially in these tough economic times. But these companies are taking action. They are moving forward to solidify their economic situations while becoming more environmentally friendly.”

Penn Herb Company Ltd. employs 38 people at their two locations in Philadelphia. The photovoltaic power system is currently in the process of being installed at their Decatur Road facility. It is expected to be completed within several weeks, and be online producing clean solar electricity by the end of the year. For more information on the project and to follow the progress, visit: www.PennHerb.com/Solar.

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Founded in 1924, Penn Herb Company, Ltd. provides a large selection of dried and encapsulated herbs, spices and natural remedies. Exclusive US importer for Olbas Remedies from Switzerland, which provide natural relief for colds, coughs, aches and pains. For more information, visit www.PennHerb.com/Solar
End
Source:William Betz, Jr
Email:***@pennherb.com Email Verified
Zip:19154
Tags:Solar Energy, Herbs, Natural Remedies, Home Remedies, Solar, Alternative Energy, Herbal Remedies
Industry:Business, Health, Environment
Location:Philadelphia - Pennsylvania - United States
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