Kentucky’s first 100% solar-powered factory uses Tracker Solar systems

Play Mart recently broke ground on a more than $3 million expansion project in Pulaski County, Kentucky, that will add equipment, staff and materials to meet the growing demands of the global playground manufacturer. This expansion includes a 252 kW solar project powered by 20 dual-axis trackers from Oregon-based Tracker Solar, making Play Mart one of the first net-zero manufacturing facilities in Kentucky. The trackers will provide the facility with clean energy, shade in the parking lot, lighting and power for the electric vehicle charging station.

Source: STracker Solar

Play Mart is a family leader in the industry of products for outdoor play and playgrounds for the youngest children. The 43,200-square-foot expansion will bring the manufacturer’s total operating space to more than 103,000 square feet. This growth will help meet growing customer demand for additional equipment, personnel and materials, as well as fulfill contracts for child development centers on military bases around the world.

“We considered investments in alternative energy to be a priority. We have done our homework and believe that the Tracker system is the future, especially for flat, static roof panels,” says Rebecca Beach, founder and CEO of Play Mart. “We know that our investment will provide us with “energy security” for the future. Why shouldn’t every manufacturing facility in Kentucky have the freedom to generate their own solar energy?”

Tracker systems are manufactured in the United States. The steel structures are rated to withstand winds of 120 miles per hour and can be remotely monitored and controlled. The Tracker platform is equipped with cloud-based enterprise control and monitoring systems that provide diagnostics and insight into its performance. The high-altitude pole design keeps the solar panels above surrounding trees and typical dust plumes, reducing panel cleaning. Each system is equipped with sensors to detect and prepare for severe weather conditions and high winds.

“We are excited to partner with Play Mart as pioneers in renewable energy manufacturing operations in Kentucky,” said Hadi Hajimiri, CEO of Tracker Solar. “Our goal is to advance solar energy in Kentucky using solar tracking systems, which we believe are the future of distributed energy generation. Trackers address the main bottleneck in solar energy use: space availability.”

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