A ribbon cutting is planned for March for the Ardagh solar facility in Madera. Photo contributed by Ardagh

Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America, an operating business of Luxembourg-based Ardagh Group, is nearing the completion of a renewable electricity solar facility in Madera.

The nearly 13-megawatt solar facility, which is built and operated by VALTA Energy in Dana Point, California, is set to be operational by March at the Madera glass plant.

The system was developed by CI Renewables in Maryland.

Ardagh Glass Packaging is a leading supplier of sustainable and infinitely recyclable glass packaging, operating 37 production facilities in North America, Europe, and Africa. It employs approximately 14,000 people.

The solar field will supply about 20% of the facility’s electricity demand.

Ardagh will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the solar facility in March.

“Ardagh’s solar field in Madera exemplifies our commitment to adding renewable electricity in the regions where we operate,” said Alex Winters, chief sustainability officer at Ardagh Glass Packaging. “I want to extend my gratitude to our project partners and especially to our dedicated Madera and Engineering teams for their commitment to completing this project safely.”

The electricity generated from the solar facility is estimated to reduce demand from the local grid equivalent to more than 2,500 averaged-sized American homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.