Solar thermal manufacturer FAFCO celebrates its 40th anniversary in the solar energy industry this month. Founded in 1969 byFreeman A. FordandRichard O. Rhodes, FAFCO is the oldest and largest solar water heating manufacturer in the United States.
InNewsweekmagazine’s published "History of Solar" article, FAFCO Inc. is credited with developing the first lightweight set of solar panels that can reduce heating costs by up to 50 percent (or more in warmer climates).
Over the last four decades it has manufactured more than 1.75 million solar collectors, and the company has shipped 66 million square feet of pool heating collectors, or the electrical equivalent of 4.3 gigawatts. FAFCO owns more than 25 domestic and international patents on its technology.
FAFCO's headquarters are located in its own custom-built, state-of-the-art solar research, design and production facility, in Chico, Calif.
Source: FAFCO Inc.
