Distributed Energy Innovation: Mercedes-Benz's Solar Initiative Supports Cost Savings and Sustainability Goals
The Mercedes-Benz USA Parts Distribution Center in southern California is now partially powered by a 720-kW rooftop solar array, the latest in dozens of commercial and industrial energy customers adding distributed energy assets to offset utility rate uncertainty worldwide.
EDPR NA Distributed Generation, the distributed energy platform of EDP Renewables North America, completed the project recently. The new rooftop solar installation will help power daily operations at the facility while lowering energy costs and enhancing long-term utility price stability for the location.
By generating clean electricity onsite, the system reduces exposure to utility rate volatility and supports reliable energy supply amid rising power demand across California. In its first year, the installation is expected to generate more than $18,200 in electricity cost savings. During construction, the project supported 65 jobs.
"California businesses are navigating a rapidly evolving energy landscape marked by increasing demand and price fluctuations," said João Barreto, EDPR NA Distributed Generation CEO, in a statement. "Rooftop solar is a smart, scalable solution that allows organizations like Mercedes-Benz USA to control energy costs, improve resilience, and advance their sustainability goals — all while maximizing the value of existing infrastructure."
The 720-kW system transforms unused rooftop space into a productive energy asset, generating renewable electricity without additional land use. Mercedes-Benz has six parts distribution centers throughout the U.S. The others are in Carol Stream, Illinois; Grapevine, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Robbinsville, New Jersey and Vance, Alabama.
Rooftop solar advocates estimate there is potentially 60 GW of carbon-free power generation capacity available atop commercial real estate properties in the U.S., generating electricity from spaces not being used for other purposes.
EnergyTech has reported on scores of commercial and industrial companies installing rooftop solar globally, including Signature Center, Nissin Foods USA, Bahrain Steel, Principal Asset Management, Blue Sports Stable, Public Storage, Lowe’s, Bank of America, Kimberly-Clark, Eastroc Beverage, Truliant Federal Credit Union, Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Portland General Electric, American Tire Distributors and numerous others.
In a recent EnergyTech QuickChat with distributed energy resource developer PowerSecure, the company’s Todd Jackson noted that DERs are increasingly valued by utilities and grid interconnection for supporting resiliency and peak demand responsiveness.
About the Author
EnergyTech Staff
Rod Walton is head of content for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 17 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.
Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.
He can be reached at [email protected].
EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.
Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.