Kings Mountain, N.C.-based Patrick Yarn Mills, a manufacturer of eco-friendly high-performance
industrial yarns, has installed a new solar power system — which it reports is one of the largest
privately owned solar power system in the North Carolina Piedmont region. Manufactured by Argand
Energy Solutions, the system produces 140,000 kilowatt hours of photovoltaic energy each year,
saving the equivalent of 11,310 gallons of gasoline or 234 barrels of oil — enough to power 14
average-sized houses. A grant from the NC Energy Office made the installation possible, and all of
the system’s major components qualified for funding under the “Buy American” provision of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law in 2009.
“We’re excited to be generating our own electricity from the sun,” said Gilbert Patrick,
president, Patrick Yarns. “We’ve been committed to sustainability for years, and this is another
step toward helping create a better planet for future generations and a better environment for our
community. It also provides customers with environmentally sound, Spun by the Sun™ solutions to
their textile requirements.”
The company prides itself on being an eco-friendly business and uses highly efficient
lighting and motors, produces no greenhouse gases and is working towards a goal of zero landfill
waste. Patrick Yarns also manufactures a line of eco-friendly textile yarns under the Earthspun®
brand.
A web application located at http://www.patrickyarns.com/monitor allows the public to see how
much electricity the solar power system is producing.
September 6, 2011
