LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Solar panels sit high in the sky, providing power to Heifer International and cutting the company's power bill.
"The last three days we generated enough power to run a home off the grid for the entire month. So by doing this, this array could take 30 homes off the grid for an entire year," said Erik Swindle, the company's facilities director.
Here's how this all works: The sun radiates onto the panels and the energy goes to an inverter. This cycle causes the meter to spin at a much slower pace, which means Heifer uses little electricity from the power company to operate.
"We want to pull in to our back up systems so that if we ever lose power to this grid, this system, with a good sunny day like this can keep our business as normal," said Swindle.
If there were ever a power failure city wide, the panels could provide enough energy to keep water, lights, and computers going.
Company leaders want others to follow them -- as they point to the panels' being eco-friendly.
"By reducing the carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. We have the capability to make an impact on the Earth," said Bob Bloom, Heifer's chief financial officer.
