Solar Power Cells, Hot Water, Energy, Collectors

BoDean Co. Mark West Rock Quarry achieves a first in solar

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SANTA ROSA — With the largest solar powered rock quarry in the western United States, and the first all solar facility of its kind in the industry, the BoDean Company has taken the use of photovoltaic cells and sustainability to the next level at its Mark West quarry.

BoDean, an aggregate and asphalt supplier, installed 3,444 solar panels on a steep, south-southwest facing slope that generate a total of 1.165 megawatts of green electricity annually at its quarry located at 4611 Porter Creek Road in Santa Rosa.

This clean energy offsets the release of some 1,844,521 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of driving almost 2.5 million miles in an average car.

In other words, to offset this level of yearly emissions would require the planting of 5,592 trees per year and would be equal to the annual energy consumption of 160 residential homes in the U.S.

“Historically, BoDean has averaged about $25,000 per month in PG&E electricity costs to power four rock crushers, screens, conveyors and pumps at our Mark West quarry,” said Bill Williams, operations manager for BoDean.

Source: North Bay Business Journal