White Rose Foods Raises the Roof

Commercial operation of the second largest PV roof-mounted solar system in New Jersey has begun at the White Rose Inc. warehouse in Carteret. The new system will allow the wholesaler to significantly reduce its carbon footprint through the production of clean electricity. KDC Solar LLC, based in Bedminster, N.J., through its wholly owned subsidiary, KDC Solar Nugen WR, a joint venture with Nugen Capital Management LLC, will operate the facility.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the occasion (left) was held at the site on Jan. 25. Among those in attendance were Assemblyman Joseph D. Eagan, 17th Assembly District and Member of Telecommunications and Utility Committee; Middlesex County Freeholder Ron Rios, Sarah Gentile from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Carteret Mayor David Reiman and a representative from Assemblyman John Wisnewski’s office.

The 4.88-megawatt solar system will generate about 6.2 million hours of solar electricity per year and is designed to supply more than 60 percent of the electric power needs for the site, which is owned by New York-based KTR Capital Partners. The installation was performed by Roseville, Calif.-based Solar Power Inc., which procured more than 22,000 high-quality panels manufactured by LDK Solar in China.

“The reduction of our carbon footprint is allowing us to expand our environmental stewardship in the local community and the state,” noted John Annetta, SVP of operations at White Rose, a division of Robesonia, Pa.-based Associated Wholesalers Inc, (AWI) and the largest wholesale distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving independent retailers as well as chain accounts in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia/

“This facility is the second-largest roof-mounted PV solar facility in New Jersey and will supply clean, lower cost, long-term solar energy to White Rose,” added Hal Kamine, CEO of KDC Solar.“The White Rose facility is a successful model that we intend to replicate as KDC Solar pursues its commitment to ‘behind-the-meter’ solar electric systems for business/government and institutions, which in turn creates or preserves long-term jobs for the state.”

“From an electrical consumption perspective, this building has no measurable adverse impact on our environment,” said Stephen J. Butte, a partner at KTR Capital Partners, which financed the endeavor. “The project gave us the opportunity to improve our asset while providing for lower utility costs for our tenant and a cleaner environment.”