St. Davids Cold Storage – Powering Efficiency Through Solar Innovation

Client: St. Davids Cold Storage
Location: Niagara Region, Ontario
Project Type: Multi-Phase Flat Rooftop Solar PV Installation
System Size: 1.2 MW AC / 1.476 MW DC net-metered system at 600V
Annual Benefit: Net-metered credit generation and year-round energy cost reduction

Overview

St. Davids Cold Storage is a leading cold-chain logistics provider in Niagara, known not just for reliable cold storage solutions but also for its bold commitment to sustainability. With a high energy demand driven by 24/7 refrigeration, especially during warmer months, St. Davids saw a clear opportunity to reduce both environmental impact and operating costs through solar energy.

Partnering with Informed Energy, the company has implemented a multi-phase solar project designed to grow alongside their facility expansion—helping them generate clean power, bank energy credits, and optimize long-term savings.

The Challenge

Cold storage facilities are energy-intensive year-round, with demand spiking in the summer when cooling systems work overtime. This presented both a challenge and an opportunity: while electricity usage is high, it also coincides perfectly with peak solar production months.

The team at St. Davids needed a smart, scalable solution that could offset these seasonal loads and accommodate the site's ongoing physical expansion.

The Solution

Informed Energy developed a staged solar deployment plan to match St. Davids’ growing infrastructure, installing high-efficiency solar arrays in three phases:

• Phase 1 (2020): 500 kW AC / 800 kW DC on the newly renovated original building and addition
• Phase 2 (2022–2023): Additional 700 kW AC system installed on a newly constructed second building
• Phase 3 (2024–2025): Further expansion and rooftop addition to oversize the DC system, maximizing the value and capacity of the existing AC infrastructure

The result is a net-metered 600V solar array capable of generating surplus electricity in summer months, banking credits that offset winter consumption.

Results

St. Davids’ system consistently overproduces in the summer, creating a buffer of credits that are drawn down during lower production winter months. This strategy not only improves cost predictability but also supports energy independence.

• Net Metering Credits: Accumulated during high-production months
• Seasonal Optimization: Peak solar production aligns with peak cooling demand
• Ongoing Value: Infrastructure ready for future DC oversizing to fully leverage AC capacity

Looking Ahead

St. Davids Cold Storage continues to explore new opportunities to boost efficiency and reduce energy costs. Each year, energy performance is reviewed to identify areas for improvement, reflecting a long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Why It Matters

This project illustrates how solar energy can be smartly integrated into high-demand, year-round operations like cold storage. Through strategic planning and phased implementation, St. Davids Cold Storage is turning sustainability into a business advantage—reducing costs, supporting the grid, and setting a regional standard in clean energy leadership.

‍