United Natural Foods has plans to install a 1.19 megawatt solar power system that will cover 175,000 sq. feet of rooftop at its distribution facility in Rocklin, CA.
To develop and install the new solar power system, the Company contracted with American Capital Energy, a Massachusetts-based firm specializing in solar power project integration.
"We are proud to partner with United Natural Foods in driving their solar initiative and look forward to working with them in building momentum behind the solid business case for solar energy implementation," says Tom Hunton, president of American Capital Energy. "Going solar currently provides companies a real competitive advantage, which will only increase as the cost for energy continues to escalate."
Construction of the Rocklin solar power project began in July 2007, with the power-generating panels expected to be in operation by the end of summer of 2007. The Rocklin solar power system will utilize more than 7,000 Sharp 170 solar modules, two SatCon 500 kW inverters and the Unirac S-5 mounting system for a non-penetrating and low-profile installation.
When completed, the solar power system is expected to provide an average of approximately 1,500,000 kWh annually of clean energy production at this facility, which is the equivalent of powering 140 average American households for a year, and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 19 metric tons annually. According to industry statistics, the solar power system is believed to be the fourth largest solar array in California and the sixth largest in the United States.
Michael Funk, president and chief executive officer, comments, "This solar power system is yet another example of United Natural Foods' commitment to Environmentally Responsible Initiatives. Further, it is especially gratifying to work towards protecting the environment while at the same time improving our infrastructure to enhance efficiencies and lower costs. It's truly a win-win situation where everyone benefits."
The Rocklin facility is the headquarters for UNFI's Western Region; employs approximately 550 people; serves customers in northern California, northernNevada, southern Oregon, and Hawaii; and is the largest facility in Company's nationwide distribution network. United Natural Foods has the largest warehouse capacity of any distributor in the natural products industry and, with the recently announced plans to open a facility in Sarasota, Florida, it will have more than 3.7 million square feet of space at 16 distribution centers nationwide.
"United Natural Foods remains committed to a greener environment by investing in technology that will allow us to operate more competitively while utilizing clean, renewable energy," says Thomas A. Dziki, United Natural Foods vice president of Sustainable Development. "We continue to explore ways to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use in keeping with the natural charter of our business."
"We are proud to partner with United Natural Foods in driving their solar initiative and look forward to working with them in building momentum behind the solid business case for solar energy implementation," says Tom Hunton, president of American Capital Energy. "Going solar currently provides companies a real competitive advantage, which will only increase as the cost for energy continues to escalate."