J. Kings, a Long-Island based food and beverage distributor, along with EnterSolar, a New York-based provider of solar solutions to commercial enterprises today announced the completion of a 771-kW rooftop solar system at their Holtsville headquarters and distribution facility. The company, which has been serving the Long Island and greater New York community for 44 years, engaged EnterSolar to develop the system that will not only help reduce their carbon footprint, but also create significant financial benefit as well.

Elected officials and PSEG Long Island executives, as well as the J. Kings and EnterSolar teams gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate this significant project for J. Kings and Suffolk County, which was made possible, in part, through funding from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative.

The 771-kW system will reduce J. Kings’ dependence on the grid by offsetting a significant portion of their annual power usage.  J. Kings, the Holtsville community and Suffolk County neighbors will also benefit as a result of this project.  In addition to reducing the power J. Kings draws from the grid, the environmental benefits of the project are equivalent to reducing the release of CO₂ emissions by approximately 1,262,000 pounds annually, or the equivalent of saving over 64,000 gallons of gas per year. 

Kings has a long history of commitment to the community it serves. In addition to providing the area’s chefs, restaurants and kitchens with local meat, fish and produce, J. Kings has a strong commitment to philanthropy, giving back to a large number of food pantries as well as non-profit organizations geared around health. J. Kings is most notably involved with the Maurer Foundation, Suffolk County PAL, Island Harvest, and a number of local hospitals, among other organizations.

“J. Kings has been serving the Long Island community since 1974, and continues to look for new ways to innovate as a business, and to be responsible neighbors,” said, John King, chief customer officer.  “Going solar was simply a natural extension of that commitment.”

This specific project was supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under NY-Sun, a $1 billion initiative launched by Governor Cuomo in 2014 to advance the scale-up of solar generated electricity and move New York State closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry.

Alicia Barton, president and CEO, NYSERDA said, “Congratulations to J. Kings and EnterSolar on their collaboration with this solar project that will provide significant reductions in operations expenses while harnessing the power of the sun to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative is providing businesses and residents throughout New York with access to the significant benefits of solar.”

“PSEG Long Island is proud to work with companies that emphasize the value of reducing carbon emissions and helping our environment,” said Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewables, PSEG Long Island. “With this new PV system, J. Kings will save energy, lower their operating costs and contribute to a greener, cleaner future on Long Island.”

EnterSolar worked with J. Kings from end-to-end on the project, including financing structures, engineering, installation and project management.  The system will be maintained by MaxSolar, EnterSolar’s operations and maintenance arm.

“When you think about the massive amount of power required at J. Kings—particularly the large-scale refrigerators and freezers that are required to keep their products fresh, it is gratifying to be able to help them reduce their dependence on the grid,” said Steven Engelmann, director, EnterSolar.  “Projects like this one alleviate grid stress and help NYS achieve their renewable energy goals while providing local business the chance to reduce operating costs.  J. Kings has been a great client to work with.  This large scale commercial project was driven not only by a positive bottom line, but by their corporate social responsibility, and family values.”

News item from EnterSolar