W.S. Badger, an award-winning manufacturer of organic personal care products and a certified B Corporation, will transition to 100% solar power for all of its operations. ReVision Energy installed a 486.7-kW array consisting of 1,384 solar panels. As one of the largest rooftop and ground-mount photovoltaic arrays in the region, it is expected to generate approximately 600,000 kWh of clean solar electricity per year.
“Clean, renewable energy is the future, and our future begins now. Switching to solar has been a long-held dream. This amazing array is a daily reminder of Badger’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint,” says Rebecca Hamilton, co-CEO of W.S. Badger. “It’s also a smart financial decision, especially in these uncertain times, as entering into a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) meant no capital outlay on our part to make it happen. This is a model that businesses can and should seriously consider. We’re grateful to ReVision Energy and it’s impact investors, our partners, the community, customers, and employees for it a reality.”
ReVision Energy
The project is made possible through a PPA under ReVision Energy Solar Impact Partners, with no upfront cost to Badger. Under the PPA, the impact investor Blue Haven Solar, with the assistance of lending partners NH Community Loan Fund and NH Charitable Foundation, will own and operate the solar array for a minimum of five years to take advantage of available tax incentives. Badger will purchase solar-generated electricity at a negotiated rate below the cost of traditional grid electricity. After five years, the company will have the option to buy the system at a significant discount and continue generating free solar power for decades.
This project is estimated to save Badger $1.6 million over the 25-year warranty period and $3.8 million over the 40-year lifespan of the system.
“As an employee-owned solar company and fellow B Corporation, ReVision Energy is thrilled to partner with Badger as they become one of the first 100% solar-powered manufacturers in the region,” said Dan Weeks, ReVision’s director of market development. “Our solar installers have been using Badger balms for years because they work and because the company behind them is a model of social and environmental responsibility. To know that these balms, along with Badger’s many other healing products, are now being made with power from the sun is good news all around.”
During periods of peak power demand in the spring and summer months, the system will provide up to 100% of the power required for Badger’s manufacturing facility in Gilsum. This will help reduce demand on the local power grid and provide the facility with a reliable energy source. And when the system generates more power than Badger may need at any point in time, such as on weekends, that excess is exported back to the grid to benefit local customers. A metering system tracks the flow of power and applies discounted net metering credits for power sent to the grid.
“When it comes to reducing the impact of how we consume and use energy, this is a major milestone for Badger,” Hamilton said. “We’ve always had a forward-thinking approach to sourcing, formulating and packaging our products. Everything we do, we strive for green. Now we can proudly state that our beautiful post and beam facility and the products we make on-site are powered by the sun.”
Badger hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project on August 10. Executive Councilor Andru Volinseky, Sen. Jay Kahn and representatives of New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation were in attendance.
