Dairy farm in North Valley one step closer to becoming net-zero energy farm

ATWATER, Calif. (KFSN) -- A dairy farm is taking advantage of the power of the sun. The Joseph Gallo Dairy Farm in Atwater unveiled Wednesday how they're reducing their carbon footprint.

"It's not only good for the environment, and good for the community, it's good for business," said Peter Gallo, Dairy Farmer and Cheesemaker.

The farm unveiled 7,800 new solar panels, moving closer to becoming a net zero energy dairy farm.

"A dairy company needs to be both sustainable in economics and environmentally," said Gallo.

Gallo said the new panels cost a whopping total of $4-million, making it the state's largest privately owned dairy solar supply. This also comes just days after California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring California to reduce greenhouse emissions to 40-percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

"We're seeing a lot of interest from more farms, and I think this facility is definitely-- is on the cutting edge and leading the pack, but definitely expect to see more," said Scott Peattie, Solar City*.

Solar City said the panels produce enough energy to power more than 280 homes, reducing carbon dioxide emission in the next 20 years.

Gallo said the panels convert sunlight to energy that will then be used to power pumps and motors for the farm's day to day operation. He said they hope to be cutting edge in reducing their carbon footprint.

"I think this is going to be an important step to helping achieve those goals."

Just to give you a perspective-- this reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the panels is equal removing more than 292 cars from the road annually.