The Meiborg warehouse in Rockford, IL, covering about 165,000 square feet, primarily serves storage and logistics purposes. To cut energy costs and carbon footprint, Meiborg invested in a rooftop solar system to generate clean onsite energy using renewable energy. The project, from planning to commercial operation, spanned 11 months. Solar system consists of (335) 540-watt solar modules mounted on the south-facing roof of the warehouse and tilted at an angle of 10 degrees to maximize sun exposure. The system is estimated to produce 233,771 kWh of electricity per year, which would offset approximately 81% of the facility’s current electricity consumption. There are a number of financing options available for solar PV systems, including loans, leases, cash, on-bill financing, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). A noteworthy obstacle was the need for a transformer upgrade, as required by the utility provider. This stipulation resulted in project delays but also provided General Energy with critical learning experiences for future renewable energy projects.
- System Size and Type: 181 kW Ballasted Rooftop Solar PV System
- Annual Electricity Generation: Solar system projected to generate 233,771 kWh energy annually
- Annual Environmental Impact: Solar system to offset company’s carbon footprint by 166 tons. This is equivalent to Carbon Dioxide emissions from 18,642 gallons of gasoline.
