Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market has announced the solar panel installation at its California distribution center is providing nearly three quarters of the facility's energy. In a time of rising energy costs, solar power is helping ease the grocer's energy bills, and helping keep Fresh and Easy's prices affordable.
At 500,000 square feet, the solar panel installation is the size of five football fields and is considered one of the largest roof-mounted solar installations in North America.
The installation was a $13 million investment for the company. Since March, the solar panels have provided over 2,100 MWh of energy — enough energy to power over 300 typical homes, 4200 televisions or 10,000 light bulbs for a year.
"We try to be thoughtful in how we operate as a business, including being considerate about our impact on the environment. It only seems natural for us to use California's remarkable sunshine to power our distribution center," said Fresh and Easy CEO Tim Mason.
"At times, the meter at the facility even runs backward because we are producing so much solar energy."
According to Southern California Edison's Savings by Design, Fresh and Easy stores use about 30% less energy than a typical supermarket.
The company is a pilot member of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) volume certification program, recycles or reuses all its display and shipping materials, and voluntarily discloses its greenhouse gas emissions.
