Acme McMrary Installs Solar Energy System To Support Dyeing Operation
Acme-McCrary Corporation in Asheboro, N.C., a manufacturer of private-label women's legwear and seamless activewear, has installed a solar thermal energy system at its Pritchard St. hosiery plant in Asheboro to heat water for its hosiery and seamless apparel dyeing operation. According to the company, the system, which comprises 200 solar panels manufactured by Jacksonville, Fla.-based Alternate Energy Technologies (AET) and installed by FLS Energy, Asheville, N.C., will generate 10,000 gallons of hot water a day at temperatures up to 180°F and will reduce Acme-McCrary's carbon emissions by 249,000 pounds annually. The system also includes two 10,000-gallon tanks to store hot water for use when the sun is not shining. The company reports the system is believed to be the largest such installation in the United States for industrial and manufacturing applications.
Under a solar thermal Power Purchasing Agreement, FLS Energy designed and installed the system at no cost to Acme-McCrary and instead is selling the thermal energy generated to the company at a price lower than the cost of fossil fuel, thus lowering Acme-McCrary's energy costs by more than $20,000 per year.
In addition, the project received partial funding from the North Carolina State Energy Office under its ARRA Renewable Energy Grant program.
"The installation of these next-generation solar panels represents a partnership between our state's textile sector and emerging clean energy sector," said Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., who spoke to guests invited to the plant Tuesday to celebrate the project's completion and tour the facility. "In North Carolina, we are creating an innovative path forward to create jobs and compete in today's global economy." Thanks in part to Hagan's efforts, North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to mandate that utilities use renewable energy.
The project was initiated in response to sustainability requirements that Walmart, an Acme-McCrary customer, has imposed on its vendors. Because of Acme-McCrary's sustainability initiatives, Walmart invited the company to join its Sustainability Council in 2010.
Duke Energy Carolinas is purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates generated by the solar thermal energy system, which enables favorable pricing of the energy compared to conventional energy pricing.
Acme-McCrary produces more than 110,000 dozen pairs of hosiery and 96,000 seamless garments per week at its five manufacturing facilities, located in Asheboro; Siler City, N.C.; and Honduras.
