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Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises A Super Chill Company Philosophy

Commercial Case Study

Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises, Inc. - San Diego County

Challenge

Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises, Inc. a/k/a “ICE” is a cold storage service company with a strong dedication to sustainability; so much so that the company uses chemical-free cooling tower water for landscape watering, installed permeable paving to allow rainwater to reach the ground, and even flushes toilets with repurposed refrigerant condensate. Expansion to a second location with 7,500,000 cubic feet of cold storage necessitated a renewable energy solution to keep with the company’s strong sustainability commitment.

Refrigerated storage is a business that relies on energy not to maintain production, but to protect all the products that its 1,850 clients entrust ICE to maintain at proper temperature. ICE needed a reliable solution that could keep products cool or frozen using green energy and also build in a safety net in the instance of a grid power outage..

Solution

The groundbreaking company, Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises, had commissioned one of the first large-scale commercial solar projects in San Diego (2009). After a decade of energy production success, it wanted to increase its energy production as well as replace a portion of the existing system due to unfavorable buy-out contract terms. The HES Renewables team was the perfect group to expand the existing solar system with 2104 Maxeon-made panels in a rooftop and carport solar array design. HES Renewables added additional autonomy and security by tying a 10-battery bank Tesla Energy storage system to the solar system.

Customer Benefit

“ICE” now operates on over 45% solar energy; the battery system 100% discharges the batteries on well over 300 days each year. This use of stored solar energy from the Tesla Energy storage system accounts for as much as 70% of renewable energy use during winter months. During summer months the PV system overproduces enough to strongly offset utility costs. This HES Renewables solution not only stabilizes and lowers energy costs for the company but holds to the sustainability tenent of Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises. Running the refrigeration units renewable energy provides cost savings that ICE is able to pass on to its customers.

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A drone shot of commercial solar panel arrays on a rooftop and carports

“We pride ourselves on bringing efficient clean energy to cold storage facilities.“

Innovativecold.com website homepage

Quick Facts

  • 831kW
    Total System Size
  • 2104
    Number of Panels
  • 2320 kWh
    Storage Capacity
  • 10-battery bank Tesla Powerpack
    Storage System
  • 1,306,312 kWh
    Estimated Annual Output
  • 45%
    Annual Electricity Offset
  • Rooftop and Carport
    Installation Types
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- Todd KentFounder & CEO, Boochcraft
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- Silfab Solar5-Star Google Review
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“The city has an ambitious climate action plan that envisions transferring to 100% renewable energy by the year 2035. We can’t do it without the solar community helping to take existing buildings like this one here at the San Diego Humane Society and making sure it runs on clean solar energy. So this project today is a way that we’re helping to actually achieve our climate goals while at the same time reducing costs for non-profit organizations like the Humane Society. This organization does powerful work, and the more of those resources that they can put towards caring for animals, that they don’t have to put towards energy, is incredible. So this is a multi-faceted win for not just the Humane Society but for San Diego.”
- Todd Gloria on 2.13.24Mayor of San Diego
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- Luis D’CarpioVice President of Facilities & Sustainability
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“Hamann Construction selected HES Renewables to help deliver this project due to their competitive pricing and the similar shared values of integrity, quality workmanship, and a customer first focus, all of which has been at the heart of Hamann Construction for over 60 years.”
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"The reason we went with HES is that they were very transparent, they were up front about what they were going to do, the pricing, everything was laid out clearly and we had a good feeling about them and knew they would get the job done. The installation process went smooth. The project manager broke everything down, month to month, week to week, and sent us updates on what was going on. Those updates told us everything, and if we had questions, we asked, and we'd get responses really quickly. Like I said, it was painless, and we were very happy with that.”
- Michael NepomucenoVice President, Operations
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“Energy Toolbase and HES Renewables have been great partners to work with and we are optimistic about deploying many more energy storage systems together in the future."
- Michael LiuSenior Director of Energy Storage
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"We care about being good stewards of the environment and about our bottomline. Why did we choose to go solar? The ROI is fantastic! We were waiting for a company that gave us a good vibe and was less pushy, sales techniques, and just the nuts and bolts of solar. That's what Ross and his team at HES Renewables offer. They provided a good, solid plan to go solar with little involvement from us after signing the contract. There was little to no disruption to our business operations. Wenjie was the project lead and he ran with it, and now we've got this turn-key product that's going to substantially reduce our power bills. If you were to ask me when is a good time to go solar I'd say yesterday. Do it now! Our only regret is that we didn't do it sooner.”
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“The decision to go solar was based on multiple factors. Long term cost savings and clean energy was what we wanted, and there was a nice tax write off. When you add all of those factors together it was a no brainer, and we get so much sunlight here that it keeps producing every day. A friend of mine is an engineer and did a lot of research and he recommended HES Renewables. We outsourced our research and compared bids and chose HES Renewables; they met our requirements, they’re a very professional company and have the best equipment...”
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- Dr. Bill CardosoFounder and Owner
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“As the North American leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of premium quality solar panels, we are proud to recognize HES Renewables as our Installer of the Month for their outstanding work on the Aptera Motors Headquarters project utilizing Silfab Commercial solar panels... We value our partnership with HES, having collaborated on several large-scale projects. Their dedication to excellence in system design, precise installation, and commitment to delivering superior energy solutions is commendable.”
- Paolo MaccarioPresident and CEO
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“BEGA North America chose to partner with HES Renewables for the design and installation of solar panels and energy storage systems based on their experience and knowledge. HES Renewables has been a reliable partner through the numerous issues that arise from a project as large as this one. Great support, great work, and great communications through the entire process.”
- Ivan GregoryEnvironmental Health & Safety Manager, BEGA North America
“We’re looking forward to seeing the impact of the 120 solar panels that were installed by HES Renewables to conserve energy and reduce costs... Beyond their primary function of supplying energy, these panels will have the added benefit of providing shade to our animals, staff and volunteers who are enjoying our new outdoor agility yards.”
- Jane Elliot-HughesSr. Director, Support Services at San Diego Humane Society

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We are a San Diego-based solar energy production and energy storage installation company. We have been an energy innovator since 2001 and can handle projects from solar-only arrays to micro-grid solar and storage systems with on-site EV charging stations. 

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Click here to be contacted by an HES Renewables representative, or simply dial us at 866-HES-RNEW (866-437-7639).

Robert Laverty

Senior Energy Consultant, Residential

Robert Laverty joined the HES team in the summer of 2018, bringing his ten years of solar design experience and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound with him. Robert is dedicated to finding solutions to help families produce and store electricity in order to reduce their reliance on grid power as well as help reduce their household’s carbon footprint. Robert’s experience as a newspaper editor as well as his involvement with the sustainability-focused Rocky Mountain Institute drives him to constantly seek out innovative ways to meet energy needs through renewable resources as well as helps him share those ideas with Southern California homeowners. When not at work or volunteering time with his church or community, Robert spends time with his wife and two sons or pursues his passion of fly fishing.

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