Mega Package Store:
Just when you think you’ve heard it all in the curious world of renewable energy – Hannah Solar says,
“Hold my beer…”
Beer?
Of course!
While it may seem odd to pair the sun with your favorite pilsner or IPA, one local company did just that and found an innovative and practical way to keep its beverages cold throughout the year.
In June of 2022, Mega Package Store in Suwanee, Georgia, set out to prove just how beneficial solar power can be with its purchase and installation of a brand-new rooftop solar system from Hannah Solar. The goal was to generate enough power to offset the high-cost energy loads associated with air conditioning, lighting, and refrigeration, that occur during peak usage.
Mega Package Store’s solar panel array was designed to harness the power of the sun, produce clean energy onsite, and significantly reduce the company’s operating utility costs. The 30.1 kW system is a high-power, low-cost option that generates approximately 45,000 kWh per year. Funding for the rooftop project was secured through an SBA 504 Green Loan – a program managed by the U.S. Department of Energy and designed to help small businesses finance their renewable energy capital improvements.
Going green certainly has its benefits for the local beverage retailer, but let’s not forget about the $250 per kW rebate provided by the local electric company, Jackson EMC! When you put it all together, the savings are substantial, provide great flexibility, and give the customer peace of mind when it comes to protecting inventory and keeping things cool.
The Mega Package Store was creative in its approach to solar deployment and took advantage of several available options to make the project a reality. With help from Hannah Solar, they are doing more than simply keeping the beer cold – they are, perhaps, redefining what it means to “chill”.