Powered by Sunlight: Melnor’s Move to 100% Solar Energy
Last summer, Melnor transitioned its headquarters to 100% solar energy, marking a major milestone in the company’s sustainability efforts and reflecting a wider industry shift toward renewable energy to reduce costs and environmental impact.
The result is straightforward—both headquarters buildings now run entirely on solar power—but reaching this point required several years of planning, coordinating, and executing.
Solar Energy Adoption in Manufacturing
In lawn and garden manufacturing, environmental concerns are central. Solar energy reduces reliance on traditional sources while supporting sustainability.
Solar also makes energy costs more predictable, stabilizing expenses and reducing consumption as utility rates change.
A Multi-Year Solar Installation Project
Melnor began its solar transition in November 2023, partnering with Paradise Energy Solutions and submitting an application for a USDA REAP grant of about $367,000.
“From the initial conversations in late 2023 through full operation in summer 2025, this was a multi-year effort that required coordination across engineering, funding, and installation,” said Jonathan Strickland, Head of Engineering at Melnor.
After Melnor completed documentation and secured approvals, the team began installation in June 2025. The first building was operational by July's end, and the second followed in August.
“We began exploring solar in November 2023, and after working through the USDA REAP grant process and system planning throughout 2024 and early 2025, installation started in mid-2025,” Strickland said. “Because the system came online during peak summer usage, we saw significant reductions right away.”
Early Energy Savings and Performance Results
The timing of the installation played a key role in early performance. By getting the system operational during peak summer months, both buildings immediately started offsetting higher seasonal energy use.
In the first months, energy bills dropped sharply.
Strickland credited Paradise Energy Solutions and the USDA REAP grant for enabling both buildings to come online, cutting one facility’s monthly energy costs from about $4,300 in July to under $800 by November.
Long-Term Impact of Solar Investment
Beyond the early results, the long-term outlook is significant: over 30 years, the solar system is expected to save about $1.5 million in energy costs.
Renewable energy investments, like this project, help companies meet both environmental and financial goals, reducing emissions and strengthening operational stability.
As more organizations consider similar efforts, Melnor’s transition shows what sustained planning, the right partnerships, and funding can achieve.