Photo Courtesy: Byington for Bham Now.
Gabriella White in Pelham Installs
Large Solar Array
Monday, July 23, 2018
By Pat Byington
Last week, on July 20, Gabriella White, parent company to luxury outdoor furniture line Summer Classics and indoor, high-style furniture brand Gabby, announced they had “flipped the switch” turning on a new solar panel energy system at their corporate headquarters in Pelham, Alabama.
According to Gabriella White, the company will now be the largest privately-held company in Alabama to run on solar energy.
“For me, going solar is something that I have always wanted to do. After being approached about making the switch this past March, we spent a good amount of time carefully analyzing the case for installing solar panels,” said Gabriella White CEO, Bew White.
“Making this step marks a major milestone for our company and for Alabama.”
The newly installed solar panels will produce up to 70% of the electricity usage for the 500,000 sq. ft. building, housing 220 employees, the company’s cushion production facility, retail showroom, warehouse, and eight conference rooms.
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| Solar panels behind The Store in McCalla. Photo Courtesy: Pat Byington for Bham Now. |
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“We are excited to be able to be more ecofriendly to our employees, customers, and the Shelby County community that we call home,” White added.
The Solar powered system was installed by Eagle Solar and Light. This is the second large ground-breaking solar powered system that the company has installed in the last two months in the Birmingham area. Last month, the company completed the first solar installation of its kind in Alabama at a gas station in McCalla.
“Eagle Solar and Light is pleased to be a part of Gabriella White’s growing emphasis on renewables. The system that we designed and installed will be a significant part of Gabriella White’s renewable footprint for many decades to come,” said Eagle Solar and Light president, Joe Bennett. “From conception to execution, this project has allowed us to utilize the thoughts, ideas, and services of many local individuals and companies. This type of project is an excellent way to provide opportunities to others in the area, as well as promote the benefits of solar energy from a business and economic viewpoint.”
