A view of the new solar array at Honeyville Metals in Topeka.
Honeyville Metal, a LaGrange County REMC commercial member, recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate its newly installed 740,000-watt solar system. This cutting-edge technology is projected to generate over 27 million kilowatt-hours of power over its 30-plus-year lifespan, equivalent to powering nearly 100 homes.
Honeyville Metal, LLC, founded in 1951, has grown to encompass over 191,000 square feet of office, warehouse, and manufacturing space. The company manufactures a complete line of commercial and agricultural equipment, including bucket elevators, drag conveyors, and dust collection systems, serving customers throughout North America.
“We had a lot of fun getting this started,” Honeyville Metal President and CEO Nate Hochstetler said about he and his wife, Rhonda. “We’re on track to produce all the power we need by replacing our inefficient machinery and reducing our power load.”
The business that was started by Hochstetler’s grandfather has slowly evolved over the years. More recently, it is thriving due to modern changes to equipment, processes, and new technology.
The Hochstetlers were all in on getting a renewable source of energy, even before the company received a 30% federal tax credit, as well as a USDA grant that paid for a large portion of the project. “Solar is a great alternative for energy production,” Hochstetler added. “It’s the right option for us.”
When asked about future plans for expanding the array, Hochstetler said, “We’ll look at that in a year or two, when we have more data from the savings we’ve had and the production we can expect.” Rhonda added, “We love it. It’s beautiful and much better use of the vacant land.”
Honeyville Metal’s solar array is situated on five acres with a south-facing slope, providing an ideal location for maximum efficiency. Additionally, a paved walking/riding path was installed around the solar field for employee fitness activities.
“We’re not just helping us, if we’re producing the amount of electricity that would power 100 homes, it’s much better for everyone,” Hochstetler concluded. For more information about Honeyville Metal and their products, visit honeyvillemetal.com.
