Swix USA goes Solar

Swix Sport USA, makers of ski wax, tuning tools, apparel and poles, has furthered its commitment to sustainable business practices by installing a 343 kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of the central Swix warehouse in Haverhill, Mass.

According to a Swix release, the new system will provide up to 95 percent of the warehouse’s electrical requirements.

The project includes a new reflective roof and an array of solar panels that covers the roof of the 53,000 square foot warehouse. Swix’s new facility also features high efficiency heating systems, motion controlled lighting throughout the warehouse and a self regulated low flow water system.  

The solar project became fully operational on Thursday, June 7 as solar power generated from the solar array began feeding the grid. In addition to providing for the electrical needs of the Swix office and warehouse operations, additional energy is sold to the local energy utility providing a renewable source of power for the region.

“I am very pleased with how the solar project has developed,” said Swix Sport USA CEO  Steven Poulin. “Working closely with Peter Schwarz of Leewood Realty on the $1.5 million dollar project was a rewarding experience that places Swix at the forefront of the ski industry in terms of environmental sensitivity. With climate change a constant factor in our business I felt that this project was important for Swix, even after this difficult season.”

The projected yearly energy production of the solar project is approximately 400,000-kilowatt hours of electricity per year. This displaces 608,000 pounds of CO2, and equals the greenhouse emissions of 31,000 gallons of gasoline or the electricity needs of 34 homes for one year. The new Swix Sports USA headquarters will provide customers, employees and associates the opportunity to see sustainable building strategies firsthand. The lobby features a real time solar monitor showing the Kilowatts of solar energy produced, trees saved and carbon reduced.