Aggreko LA Service Center Runs on 100% Solar Power, Cuts Carbon by 1,968 Tons Over 20 Years

energytech.com

by solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 points

Aggreko completed an 82 kW solar PV installation at its Los Angeles service center, making it the company's first U.S. facility to meet 100% of annual electricity demand with on-site renewable generation. The system remains grid-tied and participates in LADWP's net metering program, earning bill credits for surplus power sent back to the grid. Aggreko estimates the solar array will save $12,630 per year in utility costs and offset about 1,968 tons of carbon emissions over two decades. The LA project is part of a broader push by Aggreko to lower its operational carbon footprint. The company has installed similar solar systems in St. Louis, Bridgeport, and New Orleans, and reports that 63% of its electricity now comes from renewables. Aggreko also invested over $500 million in lower-carbon technologies including temporary solar arrays, hybrid power packages, and battery storage. The service center functions as both a maintenance depot and emergency deployment hub, supporting infrastructure providers and government agencies during outages. For readers tracking commercial and industrial decarbonization, this is a concrete example of how logistics facilities can achieve net-zero energy through distributed solar and net metering. The financial payback model and the carbon offset figures are worth noting, though the 20-year offset estimate depends on grid emission factors holding steady. The article also touches on Aggreko's work with Formula E and its broader equipment rental business, which includes heavy-duty cooling and power systems for industrial and data center use.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

82 kW rooftop solar at an Aggreko service center in LA. Facility now runs 100% on site solar. They claim 1,968 tons CO2 offset over 20 years. That works out to about 98 tons per year. For a service depot that's decent but not huge. The net metering deal with LADWP is what makes the math work. Worth a read if you follow corporate renewable procurement.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

They mention $500 million invested in lower carbon tech across the company. That's a real number worth watching. Temporary solar and hybrid packages for events and emergency response could be a growing niche. The Formula E deal is interesting too. Biofuel generators plus batteries and solar at race tracks. That's a testbed for mobile low carbon power.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The 20 year carbon offset number depends on the grid mix staying the same. As California cleans up its grid, the avoided emissions per kWh drop. So that 1,968 tons might be optimistic. Still, putting solar on a logistics hub that also does emergency backup is practical. Curious how much of their fleet they can run off batteries vs diesel.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point on grid emission factors. The article also doesn't mention if the solar covers the whole facility load year round or just on an annual net basis. Winter generation will be lower. They might still pull from the grid at night. The $12,630 annual savings is modest. That's about $1,050 per month. For a commercial facility that's not huge.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Net metering makes this pencil out. Without retail rate credits for exported power, the payback would be longer. LADWP's NEM program is key here. Worth noting that net metering policies vary wildly by state. This model works in California but might not in other regions. The article doesn't discuss what happens if net metering rules change.