IRWINDALE, Calif., Jan. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarCity® (Nasdaq: SCTY), the nation's #1 solar power provider, and MillerCoors today announced the completion of the largest solar installation at any brewery in the U.S. The 3.2 megawatt array consists of more than 10,000 solar panels installed across ten acres of the famed brewery's grounds in Irwindale, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The solar system is expected to produce enough energy to brew more than 7 million cases of beer annually.
The new project allows MillerCoors to significantly increase the brewery's energy independence and will offer impactful environmental benefits to the San Gabriel Valley region and the residents of Los Angeles County. The system will prevent more than 144 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere over its lifetime – the equivalent of taking over 12,000 cars off the road or planting more than 6.2 million trees. As the state of California continues to struggle with severe drought, the system will also save nearly 672 million gallons of water that would otherwise be consumed to produce electricity from fossil fuel or nuclear sources.*
"I applaud MillerCoors for their investment in the largest solar installation at a brewery in the U.S. Together with SolarCity, they help support local jobs and reduce our carbon footprint," said Assemblymember Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina). "MillerCoors demonstrates a commitment to the San Gabriel Valley and helps our state save water."
Said State Senator Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina): "This project will help MillerCoors control its energy costs and support clean energy jobs, and demonstrates that MillerCoors is doing its part to reduce carbon emissions and help the state meet its clean energy goals."
SolarCity, which operates in 15 states, opened one of its first operations centers in Southern California in 2007 and today has more than ten locations across the region. The company offers customers the opportunity to pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility power and currently serves tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses across the U.S.
To learn more about how interested businesses and homeowners can go solar simply and affordably, visit SolarCity online at www.solarcity.com or call 1-888-SOL-CITY (1-888-765-2489) for a free, no-obligation solar consultation.
About MillerCoors
Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company offer domestic favorites such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, Miller High Life and Coors Banquet, as well as innovative new products such as Miller Fortune. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, offers beers such as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company. Tenth and Blake also operates Crispin Cidery, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using 100 percent fresh-pressed American juice. The company imports world-renowned beers such as Italy's Peroni, the Czech Republic's Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands' Grolsch. MillerCoors also offers pioneering new brands such as Redd's Apple Ale, Batch 19 Pre-Prohibition Lager, Third Shift Amber Ale and Smith & Forge Hard Cider. MillerCoors seeks to become America's best beer company through an uncompromising promise of quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.
About SolarCity
SolarCity® (NASDAQ: SCTY) provides clean energy. The company has disrupted the century-old energy industry by providing renewable electricity directly to homeowners, businesses and government organizations for less than they spend on utility bills. SolarCity gives customers control of their energy costs to protect them from rising rates. The company makes solar energy easy by taking care of everything from design and permitting to monitoring and maintenance. SolarCity currently serves 15 states and signs up approximately one new customer every minute of the work day. Visit the company online at www.solarcity.com and follow the company on Facebook & Twitter.
*Environmental calculations are based on data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with a system lifetime estimate of 30 years.
This release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding future energy production, environmental offsets and associated cost savings. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward looking statements. You should read the section entitled "Risk Factors" in SolarCity's quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and identifies certain of these and additional risks and uncertainties. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.