Drinks giant Bacardi has flipped the switch to solar.

The largest privately held international spirits company has installed 444 solar panels on the roof of its world headquarters building on Pitts Bay Road in Pembroke.

The solar panels and an energy management system were installed by Atlantic Energy Solutions Group, whose chief executive, Damon Wade, said the panels will generate about 300,000 kilowatt-hours a year.

The panels are estimated to generate more than 50 per cent of the building's total energy needs, offering substantial cost savings.

Bacardi expects to recoup its investment over a three-year period.

The solar installation is part of a “greener makeover” at Bacardi.

Other initiatives include a new chiller system that will cut the building’s total energy usage; four large tanks on the roof to capture rainwater; newly installed LED lighting; and the energy management system, which provides real-time monitoring to enable Bacardi to determine where more efficiencies can be implemented.

To mark the flip of the switch to solar and the wider makeover, the company held a reception at its 1862 Cocktail Bar, named for the year that the company was founded in Santiago de Cuba by Don Facundo Bacardí Massó.

Douglas Mello, the managing director of Bacardi in Bermuda, said: “We’re having the community in, we’re having key stakeholders in, to celebrate our initiative and to try and inspire other companies to follow suit.”

He added: “With the chiller system having gone live earlier this year, we’re already seeing reduced energy consumption rates.”

Mr Mello said the improvements will work together towards the goal of reducing the building's annual CO² emissions by more than 70 per cent.

The new developments are in alignment with Bacardi’s “Good Spirited” environmental, social and governance platform.

He added: “It’s all helping to reduce that overall energy consumption footprint which is incredibly important when we’re thinking about sustainability and protecting our little, beautiful gem of an island for future generations.”

Other vendors to contribute to the makeover include OBMI, D&J Construction, Bermuda Air Conditioning Company, Bermuda Universal Electric Ltd, Mason & Associates, Entech Ltd, Jukai Solutions, EK Wainwright Ltd, Leggo Ltd, Optimal Technology, Code Electric and Bell Trucking.