Hughson Nut has completed its 586 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its 50,000-sq.-ft. almond processing facility in Hughson, CA. The PV system was installed by Cenergy Power, a California commercial solar developer. Hughson Nut is an almond processor for the confectionery, bakery, cereal, health and snack food industries.

The newly constructed 586 kW solar PV system will generate over 970,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean energy annually for the blanching, dry roasting and cutting lines for producing sliced, slivered, diced and milled almonds. This is equivalent to removing approximately 730 tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere or planting 140 acres of pine forest annually.

“Cenergy Power did a great job on an initial 504 kW solar project for a related nut hulling business over a year ago so we were very confident in its capabilities on this second solar project,” says Martin Pohl, principal of Hughson Nut. “They were a company of their word, which really helps us meet our dual goals of environmental sustainability while reducing energy costs for the benefit of our growers and partners.”

As part of the solar arrangement, Cenergy Power will be provide 10 years of scheduled operations and maintenance for the system, including but not limited to, touch-free panel cleanings, preventive maintenance and repair, and overall system warranties.