EMERYVILLE, Calif. Sept. 24, 2019 – Clif Bar & Company continues to challenge the traditional approach to food production, reaching a new sustainability milestone at its bakery in Twin Falls, Idaho. Clif Bar Baking Company of Twin Falls, heralded nationally for its award-winning green design, has completed installation of the region’s largest private behind-the-meter solar array that also includes native plants in and around the panels to support biodiversity in the area. Clif Bar’s significant investment in solar energy reinforces the company’s commitment to running a sustainable food company by making intentional choices for the benefit of people and the planet.
“At Clif Bar, we’re working to run a different kind of company which starts with rethinking conventional models for food production,” said Gary Erickson, Founder and co-CEO. “At our bakeries, we are making more than great food – we’re investing in our people, communities and the planet,” said Kit Crawford, co-CEO.
Twin Falls: Unveils Region’s Largest Private Behind-the-Meter Solar Array with Pollinator Habitat
The addition of a solar array and pollinator habitat to the Twin Falls bakery is part of Clif Bar & Company’s ongoing commitment to green power. The two-megawatt system will generate an annual output of more than 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity, the equivalent of the solar power needed to run 280 homes for a year. As a member of RE100, Clif Bar sources green power for 100 percent of the electricity used at all its owned and operated facilities, including the company’s headquarters, satellite offices and bakeries.
“At Clif Bar, we treat energy like an ingredient,” said Elysa Hammond, Vice President, environmental stewardship. “We’ve made a commitment to using ingredients that are good for people and the planet – and that includes the energy we use to make our food. We took that idea one step further by integrating a solar-pollinator ecosystem that supports biodiversity and healthy farming systems."
Features of the Twin Falls solar farm include:
- 5-acre ground-mounted solar array that supplies the 300,000 square foot commercial bakery with 30 percent of its annual electricity;
- Native flowering plants grown under and around the panels will increase energy production, conserve water and topsoil, and support local pollinators;
- Solar canopies over employee parking area provides energy generation and shade.
- New outdoor walking trail educates visitors about the benefits of renewable energy and the importance of pollinators to the food system.
Clif Bar is also a participant in InSPIRE, a national research study led by the National Renewable Energy Lab on the economic and environmental benefits of including native plants and pollinator habitat with renewable energy projects. Clif Bar also works closely with Fresh Energy, a non-profit organization whose Campaign for Pollinator Solar has been nationally recognized by The Cleanie Awards® as the 2019 Platinum Winner for Best Public Affairs Campaign.
“Pollinator-friendly solar projects like Clif Bar’s are critically important to inform best practices for renewable energy and our food system,” said Rob Davis, Director of the Center for Pollinators in Energy at Fresh Energy. “The future of our food supply worldwide is dependent on the work of pollinators, and they need our help. Clif Bar’s strategic decision to ask for and encourage solar with habitat sets a new standard for sustainable energy design, operations, and management. We need more companies, universities, and communities to follow Clif Bar’s lead.”
About Clif Bar & Company
Clif Bar & Company crafts nutritious and organic food including CLIF BAR®, Clif Kid® and LUNA® Bar. Family and employee-owned, the company is committed to sustaining its people, brands, business, community and the planet. For more information please visit www.clifbar.com, check us out on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.