Arctic Cold and REC Solar launch rooftop solar array to cut cold storage energy costs
Key takeaways
- Arctic Cold’s 3.3MW solar array will cut energy costs by $850K annually at its Santa Maria, California, cold storage facility.
- The rooftop system offsets 83% of energy use and reduces 2,953 metric tons of CO2.
- Facility design includes future battery storage and utilizes local union labor to promote scalability and workforce growth.
Arctic Cold plans to establish a 3.3MW rooftop solar system at its new Santa Maria, California, facility. The company, which provides cold storage for fresh and frozen foods, will use the array to offset roughly 83% of its energy needs.
Arctic Cold, which partnered with REC Solar as an independent power producer, will benefit from energy savings without capital investment or responsibility for system design, operation, or maintenance. The solar installation is expected to deliver $850,000 in first-year savings and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 2,953 metric tons annually.
The ballast-mounted system is designed to accommodate the integration of a battery energy storage system in the future. Arctic Cold is also maintaining renewable energy credits (RECs) and pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the facility. The Santa Maria site will employ local union labor from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) during construction.
“We know that cold storage facilities require a lot of energy. Arctic Cold sought out to offset those expenses, and we were more than happy to offer a future-proofed solution,” James Presta, business development manager at REC Solar, stated. “Arctic Cold is setting a standard for the cold storage industry by optimizing its facility design with energy savings and future growth in mind. We look forward to building on this relationship and working together to set an example of the economic and environmental benefits of solar for high-energy industries like food storage and processing.”
