UniFirst Installs Solar Power System at its San Antonio Facility

Posted August 21, 2020 at 11:22 am



UniFirst Corp. recently announced that it has begun generating solar power at its industrial laundry facility in San Antonio. HOLT Renewables, a local commercial solar contractor, performed the design, engineering and construction of the 232.5-kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar system, which will offset more than 25% of UniFirst’s annual energy use, according to a news release.

The 612 high-efficiency solar panels comprising UniFirst’s solar power system are expected to generate more than $25,000 in energy savings in its first year of operation. As the cost of electricity is expected to rise over time, the system will deliver long-term benefits including an estimated $1 million in lifetime utility cost savings.

“Implementing a solar power system in San Antonio is just one of the many ways in which we’re putting sustainability at the heart of our business,” said Matthew Croatti, vice president of engineering and distribution for UniFirst. “Projects like this one, aimed at optimizing our operations, help create better working environments for our employee team partners and contribute to better service for UniFirst customers as well.”

UniFirst and HOLT Renewables worked together to take advantage of the Federal Investment Tax Credit, which allowed for a credit of up to 30% of the total cost of installing a solar energy system. UniFirst was also able to leverage a commercial rebate from the local utility to help reduce the total project investment.

Construction of the solar power system began in early 2020, with its final commissioning taking place in July. For more information about UniFirst’s sustainability efforts, visit csr.unifirst.com.

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