Trinity Commissioning 100-MWh Off-Grid Solar-Storage for Charging Costco Fleet

The off-grid solar photovoltaic, battery storage and electric vehicle charging integration system built at two Costco Wholesale Distribution Centers has reached the commissioning phase in California.

Trinity Energy reported that the Costco projects have been successfully pre-commissioned at the Ontario and Mira Loma distribution centers. The solar and battery storage will generate enough power to charge about 20 electric yard trucks at the facilities.

In total, the electrified structure is projected to generate over 100 MWh of solar energy each year – enough to provide 11,750 hours of off-grid fleet vehicle recharging and offset 3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“This project demonstrates that true energy independence is possible with a tailored, integrated system,” said Darin Leonard, CEO of Trinity Energy, in a statement. “Large-scale companies like Costco must take control of their energy future, especially in an environment of increasing energy uncertainty. By designing solutions from the ground up, we help ensure they have the power they need when they need it.”

The off-grid nature of the Costco project frees the customer from depending on utility interconnection for the solar, storage and charging infrastructure. By designing the tailored, integrated solution for Costco, Trinity Energy is working to demonstrate potential off-grid solutions for other commercial and industrial customers.

“These off-grid electrified structures enable our fleet to meet and exceed our Climate Action Commitments during this energy transition,” Shay Reed, assistant general merchandising manager at Costco, said last year. “This partnership with Trinity allowed for a solution that is creative, effective, operationally viable, and financially responsible.”

Due to California’s Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program, which includes compliance and reporting requirements for warehouse owners and operators, Costco was also able to offset $9.8 million in state regulatory fees.

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