Bigelow Tea recently got a sweet solar power system I had the good luck to get Dean Hearst to answer 10 questions about the system, the company and the future of Bigelow Tea.

The Naib: Could you introduce yourself to the readers?

Dean Hearst: My name is Dean Hearst. I grew up in Montana, and received my first exposure to “green” living when my parents built a passive solar house in 1980. In 1991 my wife and I spent two years living on our sailboat, which did have a small diesel engine, but 95% of our power came from the wind, and our two solar panels. It opened my eyes to how you can really live quite comfortably with use of “alternative energy”. I am currently the Vice President of Manufacturing for Bigelow Teas.

1. The Naib: Could you tell me about your company?

Dean Hearst: Bigelow Tea was founded by Ruth Campbell Bigelow over 60 years ago in 1945. The company continues to be 100% family owned and managed by the Bigelow family with a special blend of pride and enthusiasm. Today the company is one of the nation’s leading producers of specialty teas, which includes more than 80 varieties of flavored, traditional, green, organic green, herbal, decaffeinated, and iced teas. One of Bigelow Tea’s most well-known products is America’s number one specialty tea flavor “Constant Comment®” which is flavored with a delicious blend of oranges and spice. It is available in both black and green tea versions.

In 2003, Bigelow Tea purchased and restored the beautiful Charleston Tea Plantation – the only tea plantation in America. Here Bigelow Tea cultivates several hundred thousand tea bushes that are descendants of bushes brought from China and India during the 1800’s. Visitors are welcome to tour the facility and observe the tea manufacturing process.

And don’t forget about our high profile advocates of Bigelow Green Tea which include sports figures Yankees manager Joe Torre and the father-son football duo Phil and Chris Simms.

2. TN: What made Bigelow decide to go solar was it requested by your customers?

DH: Solar power was looked at as a means to reduce the increase in power rates by United Illuminating. Bigelow formed a team to look at alternate methods of generating power and possible reductions to our current power consumption. With the help from CCEF “Connecticut Clean Energy Fund” and United Illuminating the process has been very painless and educational along the way.

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