Chromeworks Inc. Continues to Add to Its List of Green Efforts

Electrical blackouts hit an all-time high in California in 2001, affecting 1.5 million customers and severely affecting Chromeworks Inc.'s turnaround times and production goals. That's when Jerry Robinson, CDT, owner of the Chico, California laboratory, began to think about going solar and taking advantage of the California Emerging Renewables Rebate program, which covered 50% of the cost for a business to convert to solar power.

In 2004, he installed 176 300-watt modules; half are on the roof of the building, and the other half form the roof of a carport that protects the employees' cars from the 115oF summer heat. Since the area typically has sunny weather, the solar panels generate most of the electricity needed to power the laboratory. "Originally, the system more than met our power demand, but faster-than-predicted growth has meant increased power consumption. Now we must purchase some power from a local electric company to meet current production levels," says Robinson....