U.S.-based fruit group Limoneira (NASDAQ: LMNR) has announced it will begin using solar energy at Porterville Ranch, part of the Company's northern California operations.

The organization unveiled its first solar facility at its headquarters in Santa Paula to provide energy for its packing operations in 2008, and the next year added additional solar capacity at the Ducor Ranch farming operations.

"Clean solar energy is positive for our Company, the communities in which we operate and for our planet. These projects are the right thing to do, and they've been successful," CEO Harold Edwards said.

The company said it had locked it its energy rates, and that its projects reduced electrical costs from Southern California Edison by approximately 70%.

The solar facilities are capable of producing 3,900 megawatt hours annually or 97,500 MW over a 25-year period.

"Like its predecessors, we expect a good return from this new solar project. We'll continue to evaluate projects that make sense for us," Edwards said.

The project located at the Company's Porterville Ranch, about 50 miles north of Bakersfield, California, is expected to deliver 385,000 KW yearly.

Limoneira's Porterville Ranch is 669 acres with 650 acres of agricultural plantings consisting of approximately 145 acres of lemons, 376 acres of Navel oranges, 27 acres of Valencia oranges, and 102 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com