Stewart’s Shops, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and EnterSolar announced recently the start of “Stewart’s Shops Solar Liftoff,” an installation of a large, rooftop solar energy system atop Stewart’s 300,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Greenfield Center.
The 600-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, part of the state’s NY-Sun initiative, will offset electricity from the grid used by the Stewart’s center and is projected to save nearly $40,000 annually in electricity costs, company officials said.
Installation is expected to be completed this fall, and Stewart’s expects a payback period of 5.6 years.
“As an employee and family-owned business, Stewart’s has a strong commitment to the community, and utilizing clean renewable solar energy to power our manufacturing and distribution facility is a natural extension of that pledge,” said Nancy Trimbur, senior vice president, Stewart’s Shops. “With significant savings in energy costs annually, we can not only reduce our carbon footprint, but we can also reinvest those savings in the business and community that we serve.”
The project, which is being installed by EnterSolar, is funded in part through NYSERDA’s Competitive PV Program.
“Congratulations to Stewart’s Shops for its continuing leadership in the communities it serves,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Through its participation in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, Stewart’s is demonstrating a commitment to the state’s efforts to encourage large energy consumers to use renewable energy. This type of project highlights the value that solar energy can have at manufacturing facilities where solar can help a company cut costs while taking pressure off the electric grid.”
NYSERDA’s NY Sun Competitive PV Program was established to assist businesses and other facilities in generating large amounts of electricity from solar power, a clean, renewable energy source. It provides incentives for PV systems larger than 50 kilowatts. The Stewart’s project was part of a $46 million award for 76 large-scale projects announced by Cuomo earlier this year. Funding per project is capped at $3 million, and all projects require co-funding to best leverage state resources.
Stewart’s is partnering with EnterSolar, a leading New York-based provider of solar systems to commercial enterprises, for this project, which is comprised of 2,405 PV modules and a ground-level inverter, officials said.
“EnterSolar is proud to support Stewart’s Shops’ community-focused values by enabling their use of solar energy” said Peyton Boswell, managing director of EnterSolar. “Their investment in sustainable energy practices serves as a leading example for the upstate region.”
The NY-Sun initiative was first outlined by the governor in his 2012 State of the State Address. Since its inception, New York state has had unprecedented growth in solar installations, according to state officials.
“I am pleased to see a thriving business like Stewart’s help to lead the way in energy efficiency,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “As more businesses catch on to the massive cost-saving potential that alternative energies hold, we will begin to see a healthier environment and more resources to put Americans back to work. I applaud Stewart’s for thinking outside the barrel and demonstrating why energy efficiency should be our fuel of choice.”
“Stewart’s is showing the private sector that going greener creates meaningful energy and financial savings,” Congressman Bill Owens said. “I applaud Stewart’s Shops’ owners and management, NYSERDA and Gov. Cuomo for working together to promote greener communities and more profitable businesses. I hope other business owners will look to this project as an example of what they might be able to do for their business.”
“Stewart’s is a local success story, and I am pleased to congratulate them for this exciting project, which will result in both environmental and economic benefits,” said state Sen. Hugh T. Farley, whose district includes half of Saratoga County, parts of Schenectady and Herkimer counties, and all of Fulton and Hamilton counties. “I applaud Stewart’s, NYSERDA and EnterSolar for working together to make this project a reality.”
“Stewart’s Shops Solar Liftoff initiative is truly an ambitious, impressive collaboration that shows the power of public-private partnerships to reduce costs, ease the rising commercial and consumer demands on our electric grid, and make smarter use of renewable resources such as solar energy. This collaboration between Stewart’s Shops, NYSERDA and EnterSolar should serve as a model for New York State, especially for our upstate community which needs more jobs, more growth and more opportunities. Stewart’s Shops continues to be at the forefront of living its values, giving back to the community and making our region a better place. I am proud to offer my support for this project and commend NYSERDA for providing funding for this worthwhile initiative,” said New York state Sen. Kathleen A. Marchione.
“Stewart’s Shops is a great family-owned business and corporate citizen that gives back to our community and with this new Solar Liftoff project, it is showing it’s a good environmental steward. Clean, green, renewable solar energy will help power our 21st Century workforce and enable Stewart’s and other family-owned and small businesses to create jobs here in the 112th Assembly District and protect the environment,” said state Assemblyman Jim Tedisco.
“Stewart’s Shops has always been eager and open to innovation and can proudly lead our business community with its NYSERDA Solar Liftoff project,” said Assemblyman Tony Jordan. “I know the energy savings made through this program will be invested back to continue building a business that produces excellent dairy and other food products and serves this community, our environment and its employees well.”
“We are delighted to support Stewart’s Shops in their move to put power back on to the grid, ” said William Flaherty, regional director of National Grid. “Solar power is an integral part of our mission to support new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and to develop an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century.”
Stewart’s is committed to its communities and to sustainability, company officials said. Its practices include an extensive recycling program for more than 4.5 million pounds of cardboard, office paper, plastic, metal, and light bulbs each year. The integration of plant and distribution operations allows many products to be sent to shops in reusable plastic containers including totes, dairy cases, ice cream baskets and bread trays. Stewart’s offers reusable coffee mugs and cups made from paper. A transition to LED lighting in new and remodeled shops is also part of the plan.