Bakersfield, Calif.– Grape category leader Sun World International, LLC, is planning to install 921 kilowatts (kW) of solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) facilities at four new ranches in the Central Valley of California. With this project, the company aims to have 10 percent of their power generated by these on-site energy sources in efforts to reduce dependency on power generated from fossil fuels by 2022.
Over the next 25 years, the company expects to generate 41 million kWhs of solar energy and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint by 34,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Aside from renewable energy initiatives, Sun World’s other environmental initiatives focus on water conservation and soil and bee health. Water conservation efforts include the development of over 500 acres of groundwater retention ponds, and sourcing 75 percent of their water from these basins in dry years. In addition to improving energy and water efficiencies, Sun World is also supporting soil and bee health by planting cover crop and hedgerows on at least 50 percent of its acreage.
These initiatives, and goals and measures for each, are part of Sun World’s larger Sustainability Program, The Better Future Project, and are highlighted in the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report that was published in February.
“As an organization, we understand the importance of implementing sustainable practices into our day-to-day operations,” Sun World CEO Merrill Dibble said. “Our initiatives will help achieve our vision for a better future.”
To read more about Sun World’s Better Future Project, visit www.sun-world.com/how-we-grow
To learn more about Sun World’s premium table grape offerings, visit https://www.sunworld. com/types-of-grapes
About Sun World International – Sun World International, LLC, first sunk its roots into the produce business in 1976. For over 40 years, we’ve connected our farms to families around the world through the sweetest, best quality red, black and green seedless proprietary grapes. In addition to a focus on flavor, Sun World is deeply committed to the use of safe, sustainable and fair farming practices – and licenses its proprietary varieties to like-minded growers and marketers in major grape growing regions around the world. Learn more about Sun World’s commitment to Better Farms and Better Flavor at Sun-World.com.
Source: Sun World International
