Dalton—USFloors will commence the installation of a 365 kw solar array at its facilities. This array will be the third for USFloors, bringing their total to well over half a Megawatt. This installation will make the mill the largest producer of solar in the state of Georgia.
“As a nation, we are far behind Europe and China in investments and focus to create alternative energy solutions and help reduce our dependency on oil while generating cleaner, more environmentally friendly power,” said Piet Dossch, president and CEO. “At USFloors, we want to be an example of how a privately-owned company can be a part of this effort and contribute to the solution of cleaner power, generated in our country, with the resources we have available in abundance , Georgia sun!”
By producing solar power on site, USFloors is able to take advantage of excellent government and utility benefits such as a 30% federal grant, a 35% state rebate and accelerated depreciation. North Georgia EMC also pays USFloors a premium for the solar power that it generates. This investment in clean energy hedges against dramatic energy cost increases, and carries solid financial benefits.
The system will be installed by Alpharetta based United Renewable Energy. William Silva, the company’s president, said, “USFloors continues to show leadership in sustainable manufacturing practices and job growth. This solar array is impressive in its size alone, but more importantly because this is the largest array in the entire state of Georgia.”
Installing this solar array adds to the sustainable practices of USFloors, a company actively working towards a solar powered future for Whitfield County. “We are impressed and proud to have a progressive company like USFloors in our community,” said Brian Anderson, president of the Dalton/Whitfield Chamber of Commerce. “It just goes to show how sustainable energy, like sustainable cork and bamboo floors, can create jobs for Dalton and Whitfield counties.”
Dossche added, “It’s not only an investment in our energy future, but an investment in our community. We are installing the system using local labor and putting people to work in Whitfield County. With the millions of square feet of “flooring” roof tops available in and around Whitfield County, we have the perfect opportunity to become the leading community in solar energy and an example for the rest of the country.”