GreenSpark has began development on a 679-kW rooftop photo voltaic array at Foodlink’s headquarters in Rochester, New York.
Putting in panels for Foodlink. Credit score: GreenSpark
As one of many nation’s oldest meals banks, Foodlink serves because the hub of emergency meals reduction throughout a 10-county service space within the Larger Rochester and Finger Lakes area. By way of numerous applications, Foodlink works to deal with each the signs and root causes of meals insecurity. Now, with the ability and financial savings of fresh, renewable vitality, Foodlink can do much more to advance its mission of ending starvation and constructing more healthy communities.
Developed, put in and maintained by GreenSpark, the photo voltaic array will present Foodlink with a reduction on all utility invoice credit it generates — financial savings that can stay in place for the system’s 25+ yr lifespan. This secure supply of long-term vitality financial savings signifies that extra of Foodlink’s assets will be directed towards nourishing the group alongside its community of member meals pantries, meal applications and different group companions.
The mission was made potential via a singular partnership amongst three native entities: Foodlink, because the host of the photo voltaic array; GreenSpark, because the photo voltaic contractor; and native renewable vitality trailblazer and entrepreneur Bob Bechtold.
“Jean and I’ve been investing in renewable vitality initiatives for the reason that early Nineteen Eighties,” commented Bob Bechtold. “As a businessperson, you sometimes search for investments that yield a monetary return. On this case, we needed to put money into one thing significant — one thing that mixes our ardour for renewable vitality with the worth Foodlink gives to our group. That worth is eternal, and we merely don’t see how this funding may fail. We additionally deeply worth our partnership with GreenSpark, which continues to put money into the Rochester financial system and group. It’s actually a win-win-win.”
“This mission represents the perfect of what group partnerships can obtain,” mentioned Kevin Schulte, CEO of GreenSpark Photo voltaic. “It’s a privilege to be a part of a narrative the place a neighborhood entrepreneur is utilizing the success of a mission-driven enterprise to put money into clear vitality for a meals financial institution that serves our most susceptible neighbors. It’s a full-circle second that displays the ability of native motion driving lasting influence.”
“The photo voltaic vitality mission at Foodlink represents a transparent dedication to our worth of stewardship,” mentioned Carl Simon, VP of Infrastructure & Sustainability at Foodlink. “Renewable vitality produced at our headquarters will scale back our prices, permitting for extra funds to go immediately towards our mission of ending starvation and constructing more healthy communities.”
Along with supporting Foodlink’s mission, GreenSpark collaborated intently with Upstate Roofing, a neighborhood Rochester enterprise, and Carlisle SynTec Programs to protect and prolong the prevailing roof guarantee. This further step ensures each the constructing and its new photo voltaic array stay protected for many years to come back.
This new clear vitality initiative builds on GreenSpark and Foodlink’s ongoing partnership, which started with the Curbside Market electrification project in 2021-22, changing Foodlink’s cell market automobiles to electrical energy and lowering carbon emissions of their operations. Collectively, these initiatives showcase the ability of native collaboration to strengthen group resilience and sustainability.
The rooftop system is anticipated to succeed in mechanical completion by early December, with utility interconnection by the tip of the yr.
Information merchandise from GreenSpark
