Padnos reaches milestone in its solar energy initiative

Padnos, headquartered in Holland, Michigan, has announced it has surpassed 1 gigawatt hour (GWH), or 1 million kilowatt hours (kWh), of energy production via its solar panels at its Wyoming facility.

Padnos commissioned Grand Rapids-based Cascade Renewable Energy to build the 150-kilowatt solar array in 2010. It consists of 636 3-foot-by-5-foot solar panels that cover 15,000 square feet of the company’s Wyoming location, home of the Padnos plastics, nonferrous and e-scrap recycling operations. The solar array can reach a peak daily energy production in excess of 1,000 kWh, according to the company.

“The solar panel installation was a way of furthering our company’s environmental commitment,” says company CEO Jeff Padnos. “It’s an excellent example of ‘walking our talk.’ We partner with businesses throughout the United States to help them reach their sustainability goals—it’s smart business and the right thing to do.” 

The success of the solar panels demonstrates the company’s commitment to people, the planet, and the bottom line, according to the company. 

Padnos adds, “We recycle everything, including the sun.”

The solar panel installation is one of many Padnos sustainability initiatives. Companies interested in consulting with one of Padnos’ trained sustainability experts should call 800-442-3509.

Founded in 1905, Padnos is a family-owned and operated business, creating recycling solutions and managing scrap products for industrial and commercial accounts. The company recycles paper, plastics and ferrous and nonferrous metals, as well as e-scrap, at its 20 locations in Michigan and throughout the United States.