RLS Logistics Takes NJ Headquarters Solar

Feb. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- NEWFIELD, NJ - RLS Logistics, one of the region's leading temperature-controlled logistics providers, along with HelioSage Energy, a national solar project developer, and Dynamic Solar, a leading solar integrator, today announced the successful commissioning of a 257 kilowatt solar array at the RLS headquarters in Newfield. The roof-mounted array will deliver energy cost savings to RLS over the life of the system, which is expected to be at least 25 years.

Under a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA, RLS (http://www.rlslogistics.com) will simply host the solar array and pay a monthly solar power bill, allowing the company to go solar without any capital outlay. At no point will RLS be responsible for any capital expenditures or ongoing operations and maintenance costs. Under the 15-year contract, the price RLS will pay for solar electricity comes at a considerable discount to its current rates for utility power.

RLS Logistics CEO and President Anthony M. Leo said that while discounted power prices were a key motivator, conducting business with an eye towards sustainable operations was another. "As I researched solar for my facility it became obvious that we could meet a portion of our power needs from a clean source, and at a better price," said Mr. Leo. "RLS has a reputation for delivering innovative supply chain solutions that benefit our customers, our partners, and our community. This is a great example."

According to HelioSage CEO Chris Walmsley, the recently commissioned system marks HelioSage's second project with a temperature controlled logistics provider. The first was with MTC Logistics, in Baltimore, Maryland. Says Mr. Walmsley, "It's no secret that refrigerated storage requires a significant amount of electricity, and it's therefore not surprising that the economic benefits of solar are immediately evident to our clients in this space. Despite this obvious fit, though, each solar project is unique -- and this is especially true with a client sector that commands such a sophisticated approach to facility and energy management. We are striving to solidify our reputation as the solar developer that has done their homework in cold storage."

HelioSage (http://www.heliosage.com) partnered with Dynamic Solar, LLC, for engineering, procurement, and construction. Dynamic completed EPC services through a design/build partnership with Southern Energy Management (http://www.southern-energy.com), out of Morrisville, NC. Dynamic Solar also provided system financing and will provide ongoing Operating & Maintenance services for the project. Said Michael Perillo, President & CEO of Dynamic Solar, "Dynamic has earned a reputation as a premier solar energy service provider with capabilities to deliver genuinely turn-key solutions. Our fully integrated project for RLS Logistics is a great example of that ability, and we were pleased to work with outstanding partners in both HelioSage and Southern Energy Management to make it happen."

The 257 kilowatt array will produce over 300,000 kilowatt hours a year, enough electricity to power 25 typical homes in the United States. The corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to taking 40 passenger vehicles off the road, or avoiding 70 tons of landfill waste each year.

Construction on the solar array began in mid-October, and the system was commissioned on December 30, 2011. The interconnecting utility was Atlantic City Electric.

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Southern Energy Management is a North Carolina-based sustainable energy company offering energy efficiency, green building and turn-key solar services for homeowners, builders, companies, government and military clients across the country. A certified B Corp, SEM's mission is to have a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and to build a sustainable triple-bottom-line company. SEM was founded in a living room in Raleigh in 2001, and now employs a team of more than 100 sustainable energy professionals. SEM is consistently recognized as an industry leader both locally and nationally, and is among a small handful of companies in the U.S. to earn the National Energy Star Partner of the Year award five times (in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011). SEM also received the City of Raleigh 2011 Environmental Stewardship Award and the 2010 Green Jobs Award from SJF Institute & Green For All. For more information, visit www.southern-energy.com.