Wigwam installed an array of 27- 4’x10’ solar thermal collectors on the roof of its plant in Sheboygan. The system will generate enough solar energy to reduce 2,815 therms of natural gas combustion. By eliminating the consumption of natural gas, the system will result in the reduction of 15.5 tons of green house gases per year.
The system is used for pre-heating water that is converted to steam for processing goods in the dye house and humidifying the plant. The solar system is estimated to provide 45 percent of the heat required for this process on an annual basis. The percentage takes into account seasonal variations in temperature and weather.
“Though there is a payback on the system and cost savings in the first eight to nine years, that was not our primary driver to install the system,” said Chesebro. “We made the upgrade because we knew that it was the right thing to do.”