KACO Solar Achieves Zero-Emissions Manufacturing

"It's not just about what you do -- but how you do it," said KACO President Ralf Hoffman.

KACO has undertaken a number of initiatives to make its manufacturing more environmentally sound, including: Sourcing inverter parts from "environmentally ethical" businesses; using photovoltaics and combined heat and power for electricity and hot water; using no fossil or nuclear energies to make products on-site; planting trees near all factories; and encouraging employees to ride public transportation or bicycles to work.

According to the company, all of these steps have made KACO a net zero-emissions manufacturer. The onsite PV systems now generate over 350,000 kWh of electricity annually, which is more than the average 300,000 kWh of electricity used by the company annually.