OptoGreen

Maybe it's because we enjoy breaks and picnic lunches in the park-like area surrounding our headquarters in Temecula, California.

Maybe it's because some of Opto 22's best customers and integrators focus on conserving energy and finding solutions to environmental problems.

Or maybe it's because our own employees set an example by recycling and bicycling to work.

Whatever the reason, Opto 22 as a company has become increasingly aware of our impact on the environment and our responsibility to lessen that impact through conservation, recycling, and sustainability.

Over the years we've changed to recyclable packaging for our products and increased our own recycling of materials in our factory. More recently, we've taken additional steps.

Using Our Own Products for Energy Management

Summers in Temecula are hot, and during the day the temperature can exceed 100 deg. F (38 deg. C). In June 2006, we decided to combat another scorching summer with some major changes designed to reduce our energy and water consumption while still staying cool and keeping our park green.

Using our own control and monitoring products, we made irrigation and HVAC systems more efficient, maximized the use of natural sunlight for lighting, and minimized heat absorption through roof and windows.

Over the following 12 months, we reduced overall power consumption by nearly 30%.

Green Power for Opto—and for You

This success made us eager to do more. Our local electricity provider already uses some renewable resources—such as geothermal and wind—to produce the electricity we use. In addition, we decided to purchase Green-e-certified Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). These Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) will add wind-generated electricity to the grid.

As a result of this purchase, Opto 22 has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Green Power Partner.

OptoGreen Grants

Could you use Opto 22 equipment for your projects, machinery, products, or research related to renewable energy, energy consumption optimization, sustainability, or environmental remediation? Our OptoGreen Grant program, started in 2007, provides Opto 22 automation hardware and software at no charge to companies and organizations who are working on products, services, or research related to "green" energy.

If your organization is interested, apply today for an OptoGreen Grant.

For the Future

We hope you'll join us in paying closer attention to environmental issues and our own responsibilities as corporate—and individual—citizens in the world.

For more information on OptoGreen:

• Opto 22 Carbon Footprint Reduction
• "OptoGreen" Press Release
• Letter from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
• OptoGreen Grant application