Emmi Roth, Fitchburg, Wis., installed 1,602 JA 330-watt solar panels on the roof of its Platteville, Wis., cheese production facility.

The installation, managed by Eagle Point Solar, Dubuque, Iowa, will reduce the company’s carbon footprint by eliminating 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the environment – equal to saving 1.4 million gallons of gas, recycling 43,000 tons of waste or reducing coal usage by 13 million pounds.

The solar panels will supply 15% of the annual electric use of the cheesemaking plant.

“We want to have the lowest possible carbon footprint we could have in the industry,” says Tim Omer, president and managing director. “This is another step in our commitment to focus on sustainable initiatives, so it’s very exciting for all of us here at Emmi Roth.”

Emmi Roth also invested in a new anaerobic digester at the same location in an effort to lower operational costs and remain environmentally responsible.