The Foothills is the Most Eco-Friendly Event Venue in Nevada County

The addition of solar panels make us the most eco-friendly event venue in Nevada County

Photo courtesy of Sunworks, Inc.

The Foothills Event Center is proud to announce the completion of the installation of a Solar Electric Energy System, which makes us the most eco-friendly event venue in Nevada County! The 85.7 kW DC system was installed on our building’s roof by Sunworks. The system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 99.6 metric tons per year, which is equal to taking 21 passenger vehicles off the road, reducing 244,027 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle, or planting 117 acres of U.S. forests.*

The solar panels provide 85 percent of the electricity needs for the Foothills Event Center. “We started exploring solar when we first moved into the building [in 2013]. This was a large, multi-year plan that I believe is now at completion,” notes Mardie Caldwell, owner of the Foothills. “I feel blessed to have to be able to host so many beautiful and happy events here in Nevada County, and do so in an environmentally conscious way.”

Solar panels make us the most eco-friendly event venue in Nevada County

Photo courtesy of Sunworks, Inc

Clean energy is an important part of our business strategy, with other green improvements including LED lighting inside and out. The first eco-friendly improvement made to the Foothills Event Center was the installation of LED lighting to the parking lot lights. Then, in 2016, we upgraded our interior lights from fluorescent to LED. Our efficient indoor LED lighting can be adjusted and dimmed to suit any type of event.

Major enhancements for energy efficiency at the Foothills are now complete with the installation of standing seam roof-mount solar panels. The upgrade to solar energy lowers our operating costs, allowing for upgrades to equipment rentals, décor, and our audio/visual systems. When Mardie bought and rehabilitated The Foothills Event Center, she says, “I had a vision for creating a warm, welcoming gathering spot for the community in an environmentally-friendly facility. The changes made over the last few years have made that vision a reality.”

*Source: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator