Community Food Share cuts energy costs

LOUISVILLE — Community Food Share, the non-profit food bank serving Boulder and Broomfield counties, is now among the most energy efficient hunger relief agencies in the country.

The food bank’s recently expanded solar panel system will defer 60 percent of the organization’s energy usage. The projected cost savings translates to an additional 155,000 meals distributed into the community each year.

Namaste Solar Electric Inc. installed the most recent 316 kilowatt solar system, the second installation for the charity. The new system consists of 918 modules that will produce an estimated 430,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in the first year. The installation is the largest possible for the rooftop of the food bank warehouse in Louisville, although the organization hopes to become 100 percent solar powered in the future.

The system went live on Oct. 25. It was made possible by contributions from Namasté Solar, Boulder County’s Worthy Cause Grant and the Xcel Energy Foundation, among others.

Community Food Share, in addition to being a food bank, also provides mobile pantries that it brings to key locations in the service area. Last year, Community Food Share distributed enough food for more than 8.7 million meals.

For more information or to participate in the charity’s work, visit www.communityfoodshare.org.

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