Holcim’s portland cement plant has installed 528 solar panels that produce nearly 156,201 kilowatts of power each hour at its portland  plant, according to an ARI report.

The company took a year and a half to plan and install the solar panels and is the first in the United States to use solar panels to help power the plant, according to the report.

The use of solar panels will benefit the environment as it prevents an estimated 301,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Installation of the solar panels isn’t the only alternative power source that Holcim uses. The company also uses alternative fuels such as car tires to help heat the plant’s kilns, according to the ARI report.