Pretzel maker installs over 15,000 solar panels

Snyder's of Hanover is famous for making gourmet pretzels and snack food. But now the 100-year-old company will also be known for building the largest ground-based solar field in the state of Pennsylvania.

Construction began on the Hanover Solar Farm three weeks ago and is scheduled for completion by March or April 2011, weather depending. The solar site is located directly across the street from the Snyder's manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters in Hanover, Pa. The topography of the company-owned land allowed Snyder's to expand the project from initial acreage estimates to encompass 26 acres. Featuring 15,092 solar panels, the Hanover Solar Farm is being built solely by Pennsylvania-based solar workers.

“We are excited to be building Pennsylvania’s largest ground-based solar farm,” said Andrea Bartman, Snyder's of Hanover spokeswoman. “We’ve been looking for ways to be greener and more eco-friendly as a company, and a solar farm just made sense. This brings us one step closer to reaching our five-year sustainability goals.”

Upon completion, the solar farm—combined with Snyder's other sustainable projects—will provide 30 percent of the energy used at the company’s manufacturing plant and headquarters. According to Bartman, the solar farm will reduce greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions by 230 million pounds over a period of 25 years. Put another way, the carbon offset will be equal to 111 million miles not driven by a medium sized car or the carbon that would be displaced by planting 11.5 million trees.

The company has also installed a camera on the roof of one of the corporate building that will link to a website where people can watch construction of the solar farm. The camera is set to go live today, Nov. 4, and viewing is available through Snyder's Media Center.

“The feed will be updated every 15 minutes and when the project is complete, we’ll be able to put together a time lapse picture,” said Bartman. “It’s just another fun way we can get our customers and partners involved in the project.”