REC Solar has entered into an agreement with cold storage and logistics provider Arctic Cold to develop a 3.3-MW rooftop solar installation at the company’s new Santa Maria, California facility. The project reflects the growing push within energy-intensive industries to stabilize operating costs while lowering carbon footprints.
The Santa Maria site is designed primarily to store fresh and frozen fruits that are distributed to regional food service operators and major retailers. Because refrigeration systems must run continuously to prevent spoilage, electricity represents one of the largest expenses for cold storage businesses. The ballast-mounted solar array is expected to offset approximately 83% of the facility’s total power demand, significantly reducing reliance on grid electricity.
.jpg)
Arctic Cold projects first-year energy savings of about $850,000 through a power purchase agreement structure that also shields the company from long-term volatility in utility prices. Industry analysts note that the food sector continues to expand despite supply-chain challenges, increasing the need for efficient and resilient energy strategies at refrigerated warehouses.
“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,” said James Presta, business development manager at REC Solar. “Arctic Cold is setting a standard for the cold storage industry by optimizing their 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.”
Project planners have intentionally designed the site to support future integration of a battery energy storage system, which could allow the facility to shift solar generation into evening hours when demand remains high. Arctic Cold will also retain renewable energy credits generated by the array, strengthening its sustainability profile.
.jpg)
The company is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the Santa Maria complex, aiming to position the building as a model for next-generation refrigerated warehouses. Executives say the investment reflects a broader corporate strategy to modernize infrastructure while keeping operating costs predictable.
“Arctic Cold has a unique history of long-term leadership and experience in the cold storage industry and our investment into sustainable facilities speaks to our commitment to future-proofing our business,” said Tim Dayton, Arctic Cold President and CEO. “As we continue our efforts to build new, state-of-the-art facilities, keeping energy costs low and guarding against future volatility will be critical. Partnering with REC Solar will help us identify creative, long-term solutions for Arctic Cold and its customers.”
Construction of the solar array is expected to utilize local union labor from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, reinforcing regional economic benefits tied to the project. Developers describe the facility as being “built to scale,” with the potential to serve as a benchmark for lowering the energy footprint of a sector traditionally associated with heavy power consumption.
The collaboration between REC Solar and Arctic Cold highlights a wider trend of food and logistics companies turning to on-site generation to manage risk. As electricity prices fluctuate and extreme weather places additional strain on grids, more refrigerated warehouses are exploring combinations of solar, storage and efficiency upgrades.
Industry observers believe projects like the Santa Maria installation could be replicated across California and other high-demand markets. By pairing renewable generation with modern facility design, cold storage operators are finding new ways to protect margins while meeting customer expectations for sustainable supply chains.
Originally reported by Billy Ludt in Solar Power World Online.
.png)
