Miami, FL – Earth Day 2015 is already underway for Costa Farms as construction began on new solar panels at the company’s headquarters and two other buildings in Miami this month. By the end of May, the company will rely on solar panels for 25 percent of its energy use.
“Sustainability is a top priority for Costa Farms and for the communities where we live and work,” says Jose Smith, president and CEO of Costa Farms, one of the nation’s largest growers of ornamental plants. “With almost 250 days of sun annually, we think Miami could be the leader in solar energy.”
The 861 solar panels covering 22,386 square feet will generate approximately 386,534 kilowatt-hours with zero greenhouse gas emissions annually. The annual CO2 offset is 493,487 pounds, which is equivalent to taking 45 cars off the street or planting 56 acres of trees.
The company has been focused on indoor clean air initiatives since the launch of its O2 for You Houseplants with a Purpose educational campaign on Earth Day in 2007. By reducing the amount of electricity drawn from sources such as coal and natural gas, Costa Farms is contributing to cleaner air, water and soil.
The energy savings from the use of the solar panels being installed at Costa Farms is also equal to reducing barrels of oil by 574 gallons, propane use by 185,058 pounds or recycling 85 tons of waste per year.
Reducing carbon emissions is part of a long-term strategy for Costa Farms to manage its impact on America’s carbon footprint. The company has also installed occupancy and daylight sensors to control the lights in at its corporate headquarters and painted the roof in reflective paint.
“By switching to solar panels, we’re focusing on doing the right thing for our community, the planet and our company,” says Smith.
About Costa Farms: Costa Farms is one of the nation’s largest growers of ornamental plants. Founded in 1961 by Jose Costa, Costa Farms is a third-generation, family-owned business that globally stretches over 3,500 acres and employs 4,000 people. Along with thriving indoor and bedding plant divisions, Costa Farms operates merchandising and young-plant production divisions as part of its infrastructure, with operations domestically in South Florida and North and South Carolina, and abroad in the Dominican Republic and Far East.
Source: Costa Farms