BREA, CA -- Cabinet Outsource, a manufacturer of cabinets and closets, showcased its sustainable initiatives, including a 192 kW solar power system, in an open house held last June.

Over the past six months the company has incorporated a number of sustainable initiatives into its process, including adding FSC certified wood to its material supply. Its most significant investment to-date is the addition of the 700-panel, roof-mounted solar power system. According to the company, the new system will help it generate nearly 80 percent of its needed electricity.

“We are excited to generate our own energy and a clean one at that,” said Aaron Clark, president. “The solar panels not only provide us independence from the ever-increasing electricity rates, but also are expected to pay for themselves in 4 years, so we thought it was a pretty sound investment."

Cabinet Outsource is paying for its solar panels with a 30% Investment Tax Credit to help reduce the costs and build a revenue-generating asset, added Gaye Tomlinson, vice president of Vaha Sustainable Energy, the company that provided the system.

Other green moves included installed solar tubes to provide natural light in the workshop and artificial turf in its landscaping to preserve water as California suffers through a historic drought.

The June open house was held at Cabinet Outsource's Brea facility to highlight these initiatives as well as new machinery and its operations. The event was co-hosted by The Woodwork Institute, a trade association dedicated to preserving wood as a building material.