Rockford manufacturer RJ Link International Inc. goes live with 600-panel solar farm
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A local manufacturer of industrial gearboxes has gone live on a new 600-panel solar farm on its land on the city’s south side.
RJ Link International Inc., 3741 Publishers Drive, contracted with Rockford-based Iconic Energy solar professionals to install the 291,000-watt array on about an acre and a half of land. The panels went live on Tuesday and are expected to offset 88% of the company’s electric usage.
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Terry McCormick, president and CEO of RJ Link, said the decision to install the solar panels was both environmental and economical.
“This is a very viable and sustainable energy alternative in the market,” McCormick said. “It does reduce our total electric bill overall, so it is a substantial cost savings. That coupled with rebates and tax incentives made it very affordable for return on investment.”
McCormick said RJ Link is working to be a greener partner to the Rockford-area business community. The company has several sustainability initiatives in place with a goal of offsetting its carbon footprint throughout the factory. McCormick said they were glad to work with another local company, Iconic Energy, on the project.
RJ Link is a privately-held company that was incorporated in 1993. It employs nearly 20 people at its south Rockford factory, where it designs and manufactures industrial gearboxes for uses in agriculture, mining, military, electric vehicles, construction and a host of other industrial uses.
“We’re a small manufacturer … but all the manufacturers in the area have similar challenges,” McCormick said. “When you’re looking at ways to manage cost, labor, support of the community and your customers and supply base, it’s just one more link in the chain.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
