Harnessing the Sun: How the Glendale Plant is Powering Cavco’s Future

AN UPDATE ON GLENDALE’S SOLAR POWER INITIATIVE

In the sunny heart of Glendale, Arizona, the Cavco Park Models and Cabins manufacturing plant is forging a path toward a greener future. Cavco launched its ambitious solar power initiative in 2023, and the plant’s 1.25-megawatt (MW) solar array is already showing promising results.

A Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

Cavco is deeply committed to building quality, affordable and energy-efficient homes in an environmentally responsible way.

In addition to our new solar power initiative, we use sustainable practices at nearly every step of our production process to reduce our carbon footprint, including:

• Using building materials made from recycled content, such as cellulose insulation and engineered wood products
• Recycling almost all materials from scrap metal and wire to wood refuse and vinyl siding
• Reusing and repurposing as many items in the manufacturing process as possible

A Shaky, but Bright Start

The decision to partner with Sherman, Texas-based Solar One to install a sprawling solar array atop the Glendale manufacturing plant was an easy one. It is a continuation of Cavco's commitment to exploring creative and innovative solutions to improve efficiency and cut costs while being environmentally responsible.

It also puts the ONE Cavco principle of “A relentless focus on excellence in operations” into action.

After completing the rigorous and often demanding inspections required by the City of Phoenix, the solar arrays went live in September 2023 with much anticipation.

However, as with all major changes, life often throws you curveballs – sometimes two. An inverter/controller malfunction and a box truck hitting and damaging one of the carport solar arrays slowed down the full implementation of the system.

But after repairs, the solar array is up and running, averaging about 112 MWh per month in the first six months.

Glendale’s Solar Array by the Numbers

Original estimates projected that the system would generate 2,316.88 MWh in the first year, or about 60% of the plant’s electrical usage. This would reduce its carbon footprint by about 1,642 megatons per year. As of April 2024, the system has already achieved the following results:

• Energy produced: 741.21 MWh
• Average monthly production: 112 MWh
• CO2 emissions saved: 1,243,113 lbs.
• Equivalent trees planted: 9,392

With current production levels, the estimated output is around 1,340 MWh. However, the critical months from late spring throughout the summer will illuminate the full scope of the solar array’s power generation.

These promising results not only underscore the system’s potential for generating clean energy from the sun, but also highlight the substantial environmental impact of Cavco's solar initiative.

The reduction in CO2 emissions so far is equivalent to eliminating the pollution from 621,424 pounds of coal burned or offsetting 1,442,127 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.

Cavco's Vision for the Future

The Glendale solar project is still in its infancy with much more data to analyze and lessons to learn. As we monitor production levels through the peak summer months, we will have a more comprehensive picture of what to expect.

But that hasn’t stopped Cavco from expanding our solar energy program.

Cavco has engaged Solar One to draft plans to install solar arrays at three of our plants in Pennsylvania and one in New Mexico.

In addition to adding more solar arrays, we’re also considering adding Tesla Power Walls to store all excess power the Glendale array produces on-site to use as needed.

Investing in solar energy doesn’t just make sense because of the money it saves; it is a strong declaration of Cavco’s commitment to being responsible environmental stewards as we build quality, affordable homes for our customers.