Knoxville, Tenn. – Wampler’s Farm Sausage, an East Tennessee sausage producer, and Family Brands International, makers of Elm Hill hot dogs, Cades Cove barbeque and other fine food products, are partnering with ARiES Energy, LLC and Knoxville Zoo to install a 50 kilowatt (kW) solar PV system on the roof of The Stokely African Elephant Preserve barn. This installation will produce clean, renewable energy for the zoo and an educational opportunity for guests.
Wampler's Farm Sausage, Elm Hill hot dogs and Cades Cove barbecue chose to help Knoxville Zoo achieve their sustainability goals by installing the largest solar system possible under the TVA Green Power Providers Program solar installation guidelines. The zoo reached out to the food partners to help them accomplish several goals: reduce their carbon footprint, promote environmental conservation and reduce their operating costs. The solar system will serve as an ongoing income stream for the zoo. "This truly is a gift that keeps on giving", said John Edd Wampler, president of Family Brands International.
ARiES Energy, LLC, a local energy electrical contractor, will immediately start construction on the system. The system will be operational in early 2013, providing utility savings to the zoo with the partnership of the Knoxville Utilities Board and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Generation Partners Program.
Lisa New, interim executive director of Knoxville Zoo, stated, “Our partnership with Wampler Farm Sausage and Elm Hill/Cades Cove brands is a great public kickoff to the zoo’s long term investment in sustainable solutions. To be able to lower our utility costs through infrastructure improvements such as these, we are hopeful to join the City of Knoxville’s efforts toward becoming a leaner, greener community. Through our partnership with such an industry leader in green energy as Wampler’s, Knoxville Zoo is one step further along the road toward our long term conservation initiatives.
“Joining the zoo and helping them achieve their sustainability goals is not only the fun thing to do, it is the right thing do,” said Wampler’s Farm Sausage President and CEO, Ted Wampler, Jr. He continues, “ARiES Energy has been promoting energy independence, economic development and environmental stewardship through renewable energy since we met them and we appreciate them facilitating this new partnership and project. Wampler’s Farm Sausage will be energy independent in 2013, creating jobs and dramatically decreasing our carbon footprint! Working with the zoo is just putting in place what has worked so well for us in the past and allowing us to be more competitive in the market place.”
About Sustainability Education
Knoxville Zoo, ARiES Energy, Wampler Farm Sausage, Elm Hill and Cades Cove with other sponsors will be conducting a Residential Solar Workshop at the Knoxville Zoo January 26, 2013 from 9:00AM – 12:00PM. For more information visit:
http://www.ariesenergy.com/ARiESEvents/ResidentialSolarWorkshops/ARiESResidentialSolarPVWorkshopsatTheKnoxvilleZoo.html
About ARiES Energy, LLC
ARiES Energy is an energy contractor focused on clean and renewable energy products and related services. As a leading energy contractor, ARiES Energy (Alternative Renewable Innovative Economic Solutions for Energy) delivers turnkey, clean, and renewable energy solutions. We develop strategies to avoid rising energy costs and provide the quickest ROI for our clients by utilizing available incentives, grants, and appropriate technologies. ARiES Energy offers solar photovoltaic (commercial & residential), solar thermal, lighting, energy efficiency products/services and a biomass/waste-to-energy technology capable of using almost any cellulosic material to generate power.
Building Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Solar Specialty, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
Website: http://www.ariesenergy.com/
About Wampler’s Farm Sausage Co. Inc.
Wampler's Farm Sausage Co Inc. was founded in 1937, is located in Lenoir City, and produces Whole Hog Sausage. The company is now one of the most modern and sanitary meat plants in the industry and is enjoyed and served proudly in homes throughout the Southeast under the Wampler's name, as well as under many private label brands. Their institutional sausage distribution has grown to include most of the United States.
Wampler’s values sustainable business development which includes adopting renewable energy technologies. Ted Wampler, Jr.,President and Chief Operating Officer of Wamper's Farm Sausage said, "As an agricultural company, we understand at Wampler’s Farm Sausage Company how important it is to take care of our environment. We can do that by making our sausage in the most sustainable way possible”.
In 2009 Wampler’s Farm Sausage installed a 30 kW commercial solar system resulting in a total of $179,125 of Federal and state grant and incentive money. The solar PV system produces 36,000 kWh a year. Because of the success with their solar power generation, they installed an additional 500 kW system. This latest installation will provide more than 10% of the power needed by Wampler’s Farm Sausage to run their manufacturing facility. The solar system will allow them to be more profitable in this highly competitive market, which will in turn, create jobs in rural America and make the Tennessee region stronger.
Website: http://www.wamplersfarm.com/
About Family Brands, Inc.
Family Brands International, LLC is a history of brands that are a part of our family. These brands were each started by family businesses and gained strong brand identity in their product category and market areas. We continue these traditions. Under the umbrella of Family brands is Elm Hill, Cades Cove, Frosty Morn, Senor Houser chili and Dinner Delight. Website: http://www.fbico.com
About Knoxville Zoo
Knoxville Zoo is Knoxville’s largest year-round attraction. Located off exit 392 from Interstate 40, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Knoxville Zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxvillezoo.org.
Source: Wampler’s Farm Sausage Co. Inc.