Ireland Trucking, one of the largest log hauling companies in the Pacific Northwest, has met the demands of Southern Oregon’s timber industry for 70 years. Now solar energy will help the company meet that demand by cutting its energy use.

The 35-kilowatt solar system was installed on the roof of a truck maintenance shop and is estimated to produce about 30 percent of the energy needs at Ireland Trucking’s headquarters. All 124 solar panels were manufactured at the SolarWorld USA factory in Hillsboro.

The project received a $32,701 cash incentive from Energy Trust, in addition to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program grant and an Oregon Department of Energy Renewable Energy Development grant.

“Ireland Trucking has a long history of adopting advanced technology and practices to stay competitive in our industry,” said Charles Ireland III, general manager, Ireland Trucking. “With help from Energy Trust, we are now able to utilize our own renewable energy.”

This is the third energy project that Ireland Trucking has completed with the help of Energy Trust. Previous projects included energy-efficient lighting upgrades at the headquarters and Coos Bay facility. Combined, the solar system and energy-efficient lighting upgrades will keep about 100 tons of carbon dioxide out of the air.