Snyder’s-Lance has long been making snacks in Hanover. Now, across the road from its corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant there, the company is also making energy. In June the company completed installation of the largest ground-based solar farm in Pennsylvania. Installed by Reading-based RMK Solar, the project covers 26 acres, includes 15,092 solar panels and can produce nearly 4.5 million kilowatt hours of energy, helping save close to 30 percent of current energy costs at the Hanover facility.
The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 230 million pounds of carbon dioxide over 25 years. That is equivalent to more than 111 million miles not driven by a mid-sized car. Planning began in 2009 as part of Snyder-Lance’s sustainability goals. The company has also developed renewable and compostable packaging.