Puerto Rican food distributor slashes electricity costs with solar electric system

DORADO, PUERTO RICO | March 26, 2015 — Yarotek and REC Solar just completed an 874 kilowatt solar array for Ballester Hermanos Inc., a food, wine, spirits and foodservice distributor in Dorado, Puerto Rico.

The roof-mounted array will reduce electricity costs for the distribution warehouse, starting with projected savings of over $100k in 2015 and up to $200k per year by 2040.

Partnering with REC Solar for the installation, operation and maintenance of the system, Yarotek provided a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to Ballester Hermanos Inc. that will enable the distributor to save more than 40% on its electric bill with no upfront cost. Over the 25-year financing agreement, the solar installation is expected to save Ballester Hermanos millions of dollars.

The PV system, one of Puerto Rico’s largest commercial rooftop projects to date, is comprised of over 2,500 highly efficient SunPower photovoltaic modules. The system was awarded a rebate from the Puerto Rico Green Energy, and also qualifies for the United States federal tax credits. The new solar array will be celebrated at an inauguration event in Condado, Puerto Rico, on March 26 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM.

“We are always looking for ways to be socially responsible, reduce our operating expenses and increase profits, but previously thought that solar was out of reach,” said Alejandro Ballester, President of Ballester Hermanos. “When we learned that a Power Purchase Agreement would deliver savings of over $100K per year with no upfront costs, going solar became a no-brainer.”

“Businesses in Puerto Rico face much higher electricity rates than those in the rest of the United States,” said Ben Collinwood, Director of National Accounts for REC Solar. “REC Solar specializes in making solar energy affordable for businesses like Ballester Hermanos by offering end-to-end service that dramatically reduces monthly costs.”

With hurricane season bringing torrential rains and winds of up to 150 mph in Puerto Rico, solar providers must design and construct systems to withstand severe weather conditions. REC Solar’s experienced engineers and installers conducted comprehensive site assessments to ensure the warehouse roof and racking solution met Puerto Rico’s strict building codes.

“We are very excited and proud of our Ballester Hermanos facility. Initially, Yarotek targeted almost exclusively the utility-scale clean-tech segment. Today, by harvesting the abundant solar resource, Yarotek has become a proven partner in the development and financing of distributed generation solar projects in the US and the Caribbean,” said Samy Esayag, Chief Executive Officer of Yarotek.