ACE natural

ACE NATURAL is the largest organic and natural food wholesaler to restaurants and retailers throughout the northeast USA. Solar One was asked to consult on their selection of new facilities to ensure solar power would be possible in a new larger facility. Due to their organic nature, ACE NATURAL must refrigerate most of their grains and other products, thus leading SOE to determine power potential by evaluating numerous facilities that were being considered for ACE's new distribution center.

SOE consulted with ACE management and the board of directors to complete feasibility studies and economic analysis. We supported their needs for financing and provided multiple funding options for the project.

• Feasibility Study/Economic Analysis
• Permitting
• Financing
• Engineering and Design
• Project Management
• Procurement
• Construction
• Commissioning
• Documentation and Training
• Warranty/Maintance

Project Objective

• Reduce cost of energy by 50%
• Reduce demand charges (Peak Demand) by 30%
• Enable and ensure that 100% of operations to continue if grid power fails for a minimum of ten days without refueling backup generator, unlimited off-grid operation with bi-weekly refueling
• Allow per year payments from utility for voluntarily going off-grid when requested

• 350kW Rooftop Solar
• 250kW/548kWh Battery Storage System
• 2000 Amp Automatic Transfer Switch
• 210kW Diesel Generator
• Microgrid Controller System (Hardware & Software)
• Power Consumption Monitoring and reporting system

Kaufman Astoria Studios was where many early films were made in the 1920's. The studio was expanded in 2012 with a new 40,000 sq. ft. facility that is busy every year with filming many movie and television series, of which include: "Orange is the New Black", "The Affair", "Nurse Jacky", and other well known productions. Filming involves tremendous  lighting and HVAC loads. The service for the facility is 4,000 amps. Being that management at Kaufman Astoria Studios has a strong sense of fiscal and social responsibility,  Solar One Energy was asked to evaluate the facility for a solar power plant on the rooftop.

SOE designed a 135kW system for the facility which was 70 feet above grade. This system was installed in four weeks and was designed to be complaisant with New York City Fire Department's stringent Fire Code 504 regulations. Due to the size of the service the utility, Con Edison required extensive engineering review and approvals because of the local grid architecture limitations.

The system was operational within six weeks once permitting and approvals from the agencies involved were complete. The system provides 25% of the facilities power requirements. Economic break-even was within four years

• Feasibility Study/Economic Analysis
• Acquire approval from New York City Public Design Commission
• Acquire Approval from NYC Electrical Advisory Board
• Permitting
• Financing
• Engineering and Design
• Project Management
• Procurement
• Construction
• Commissioning
• Utility (Con Edison) Engineering Inspections
• NYC Department of building Electrical Inspections
• Documentation and Training
• Warranty/Maintance

Project Objective

• Reduce cost of energy by 25%
• Reduce load on local grid during peak periods
• Provide reduction in CO2 emissions from electrical use by facility.

• 135kW Rooftop Solar
• Reverse power sensing relay with certified Engineering Calibration
• Solar Power Production Monitoring and reporting system
• Warranty and Maintance

Location: Queens, NY

System Size: 116.9 kW

Installed: March 2021

Location: Queens, NY

System Size: 105.6 kW

Installed: June 2021

Location: Queens, NY

System Size: 124.2 kW

Installed: September 2021