Guittard Chocolate Co. has added solar panels to its facility in Fairfield, California, reaffirming its commitment to reduce its environmental impact through renewable energy, water conservation and waste reduction practices. 

As part of its Cultivate Better platform, Guittard dedicates itself to honorable sourcing, expert crafting, industry leadership, environmental initiatives and long-term sustainability both at home and in the cacao-growing countries in which it works. 

Guittard partnered with Commercial Energy and Centrica Business Solutions to design and install the solar project on its 300,000 sq.-ft. Fairfield facility, which was built to expand the company’s capacity beyond its Burlingame headquarters. 

Guittard’s new rooftop solar system includes 2,992 solar panels expected to generate 1.7 million kWh (kilowatt/hour) of power per year, offsetting 50 percent of the facility’s demand. Significantly reducing the company’s environmental footprint, the solar energy captured is estimated to save 1,217 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to removing 263 cars from the road. 

The facility, which is used for warehousing, high-speed packaging and proprietary chocolate production, supports Guittard’s growth and innovation for its national and international wholesale/manufacturing, professional/foodservice, and consumer/retail customers.