Frito-Lay switches to solar
solar electric power system, as part of parent company PepsiCo's
drive to be environmentally friendly.
The new 201-kilowatt system, designed to provide about 350,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, has been installed on the roof of an Arizona service centre, the company said. Like many other food companies, PepsiCo is moving its manufacturing operations toward more environmentally friendly processes, especially in light of the recent regulatory and consumer focus on global warming and the effects of CO2 emissions. "In concert with PepsiCo's efforts around environmental sustainability, Frito-Lay's sustainability programs have focused on conserving vital resources and implementing environmentally-friendly solutions like renewable energy sources," said Rich Beck, Frito-Lays senior vice president of operations. The 200 watt photovoltaic (PV) system was designed by American Solar Electric to use natural energy from the sun, produced from angled panels placed on the roof of the centre, to power electrical machinery. "The installation was facilitated, in part, by the APS Solar Partners Incentive Program," Beck said. "This Program offers financial incentives to customers who add photovoltaic solar systems or solar water heaters to their homes or business." Crucially, the PV systems used by Frito-Lay produce no harmful emissions, he added. Like many other food companies, Frito-Lay has over recent years formulated an "environmental policy", declaring itself to be committed to protecting the "fragile environment." The company has put in place several programmes, including a water conservation project and solid waster reduction. According to the company website, Frito-Lay was also one of a select number of businesses that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) recognized with the Partner of the Year Award for energy conservation, for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a recent environment statement parent company Pepsico said that it wants all of its companies to focus on reducing energy consumption and increasing the efficiently of energy use. Another division of PepsiCo, QTG (Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade) has reduced its overall energy usage by 16 per cent per production unit at since 2004, the company said, while a subsidiary Tropicana plant entered into an agreement in 2005 to use the landfill's by-product - methane gas - as fuel to supplement the plant's energy needs. PepsiCo is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with 2006 annual revenues of more than $35bn (€24.8bn). Its principal businesses include Frito-Lay, Pepsi-Cola, Gatorade, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods.
