Chevron Renewable Energy Group is introducing an enhancement at its Mason City biodiesel production facility that includes the installation of a solar array. The project kicked off with a groundbreaking event at the site that included local leaders and project partners on Tuesday July 9th.
The solar array is located on existing Chevron property and will allow the Mason City facility to have access to a long-term supply of reliable, lower carbon electricity. Project partners include Faith Technologies Inc. and Zero6 Energy Inc.
Edgar Castro is the Chevron Renewable Energy Group General Manager of Biodiesel Operations and Maintenance, and he says that a renewable energy source helping to power a biodiesel production facility fits Chevron’s goals.
Castro says the solar panel array will help to lower the carbon intensity score of the biodiesel being produced at the Mason City facility.
Clay Norrbom is the President of Zero6 Energy which works on projects with the goal of end-to-end clean energy solutions. He says the panels being installed at the Chevron REG site will help create a self-sufficient energy source for the facility.
The 10-acre solar panel array will be capable of producing 43% of the biorefinery’s annual power consumption needs following the installation of all solar panels.
The solar panels will continue to be installed throughout the summer and fall with the project slated to be completed by the end of 2024.
