Knife River Corporation, one of the nation’s largest construction aggregate producers, knows the value of combining resources for stronger results. When the company was looking for new ways to save energy, they added solar power to the mix.

Knife River Corporation, one of the nation’s largest construction aggregate producers, knows the value of combining resources for stronger results. When the company was looking for new ways to save energy, they added solar power to the mix.

The company is committed to environmentally sound operations, and has invested more than $510,000 in energy efficiency at eight Oregon locations. To supplement previous improvements, the company acted on employee David Badger’s recommendation to install a 29.5-kilowatt ground mounted solar system at the quality control lab. A $44,200 cash incentive from Energy Trust helped reduce the total system installation cost and make the project a reality.

“We’re very happy with the system, and in some months we are offsetting 65 percent of the electricity used in the lab,” said Badger, quality control technician for the Central Point plant. The solar system saves an estimated 37,797 kilowatt hours annually, saving more than $2,200 in energy costs.