Pro-Tech helps warehouses go solar

Refrigerated Warehouse Solar Energy powers New Jersey cold storage with rooftop photovoltaic systems, cutting peak-demand grid load, shrinking carbon footprints, and leveraging Treasury grants for cost savings, CO2 reductions, and reliable renewable electricity year-round.

Pro-Tech Energy Solutions LLC, a self-funded energy services company serving the Mid-Atlantic region's commercial properties, has announced the successful installations of solar photovoltaic PV generation systems on the roofs of two Fond du Lac Cold Storage refrigerated warehouses in Edison, New Jersey.

"Refrigerated warehouses, like Fond du Lac, are joining legions of other cost-conscious business owners and operators who are taking a cue from the state and realizing that minimizing carbon footprints goes hand-in-hand with increasing economic vitality," said John Drexinger, chief operating officer, Pro-Tech Energy Solutions. "New Jersey's solar electric installations grew by 153 last year, with high-profile photovoltaic system deployments underscoring the trend, and we have been ranked second in the nation for the past four years."

The systems, installed at Fond du Lac facilities at 78-90 Saw Mill Pond Road 591,000 watts and 275 Mill Road 417,000 watts, will reduce demand on the grid during peak energy times, much like an off-the-grid facility can lessen utility dependence during high-demand periods. The two solar roof systems are expected to account for about 45 of Fond du Lac's annual electric usage.

Each year, the energy savings from the renewable energy production, reinforced by efficiency recommendations from industry groups, will prevent 1,459,808 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, an environmental impact equivalent to preserving 5.6 acres of forest and conserving 1,865 barrels of oil.

Pro-Tech worked with the refrigeration facility to secure financing and, reflecting momentum from federal building retrofits, successfully complete and file applications for the US Treasury grant.

"Reducing energy costs is an ongoing challenge for any warehouse operation, particularly for the owners and operators of refrigerated warehouses because cold storage facilities require substantial amounts of electricity, with options like fuel cells emerging to supplement on-site power, to maintain the proper temperatures necessary for preserving food and beverages," said Ted Chan, president, Fond du Lac Cold Storage. "We not only value green building from an environmental standpoint, but we now value it from an economical one as well."

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