Hendrickson is making a “significant” investment in solar energy.
The manufacturer reports it is building a solar farm in Joliet, Illinois, to power its bumper plant, which produces over 100,000 bumpers per year for major Class 8 truck OEMs and the replacement bumper market in North America.
The solar farm will include over 2,100 solar panels and produce an estimated 1.58 megawatts annually. This output is enough to power the entire plant for several years and provide excess electricity back to the grid, Hendrickson said. The construction of the solar farm is expected to be completed by mid-2025 and fully operational before the end of the year.
“This solar investment complements Hendrickson’s ongoing sustainability program as we continue our commitment to producing highly engineered, high-quality components and systems for the commercial vehicle industry while reducing the impact on the environment,” Matt Joy, Hendrickson president and CEO, said in a news release.
Hendrickson’s customers have endorsed its efforts. David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing of Daimler Truck North America, said: “Daimler Truck applauds Hendrickson’s investment in a solar farm for their bumper plant. Daimler has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, and partners like Hendrickson are crucial to our industry.”