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SolarCity and MillerCoors together announced the completion of the largest solar installation at any brewery in the U.S. The 3.2 MW array consists of more than 10,000 solar panels installed across ten acres of the famed brewery’s grounds in Irwindale, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The solar system is expected to produce enough energy to brew more than 7 million cases of beer annually.
The new project allows MillerCoors to significantly increase the brewery’s energy independence and will offer impactful environmental benefits to the San Gabriel Valley region and the residents of Los Angeles County. The system will prevent more than 144 million pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere over its lifetime – the equivalent of taking over 12,000 cars off the road or planting more than 6.2 million trees. As the state of California continues to struggle with severe drought, the system will also save nearly 672 million gallons of water that would otherwise be consumed to produce electricity from fossil fuel or nuclear sources.
“I applaud MillerCoors for their investment in the largest solar installation at a brewery in the U.S. Together with SolarCity, they help support local jobs and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Assembly member Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina). “MillerCoors demonstrates a commitment to the San Gabriel Valley and helps our state save water.”
State Senatorm Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), said: “This project will help MillerCoors control its energy costs and support clean energy jobs, and demonstrates that MillerCoors is doing its part to reduce carbon emissions and help the state meet its clean energy goals.”