Arctic Cold and REC Solar partner to launch 3.3MW rooftop solar array on cold storage facility
The solar array will offset 83% of Arctic Cold’s energy needs at its new Santa Maria facility, deliver $850K annual savings, and set an industry benchmark for sustainable cold storage development.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Feb. 5, 2026 —REC Solar, a leading nationwide solar independent power producer (IPP), has contracted with cold storage solutions and logistics company Arctic Cold on a 3.3MW rooftop solar system at Arctic Cold’s new Santa Maria, California location.
The Santa Maria facility primarily provides cold storage for fresh and frozen fruits distributed to regional food service providers, big-box retailers, and more. The solar system, mounted on ballast, will offset roughly 83 percent of the facility’s energy needs and avoid an estimated 2,953 metric tons of CO2 annually.
Arctic Cold anticipates first-year energy savings of $850k, with a power purchase agreement (PPA) structure protecting against future energy price increases. In addition to the energy savings, the introduction of clean energy at Arctic Cold’s cold storage site contributes to a lower carbon footprint across the broader food supply chain in California and beyond.
The food industry continues to expand, driving an increased demand for fresh, perishable goods even as supply chains face increasing strain. With facilities running 24/7 to prevent food spoilage, energy is one of the largest costs for cold storage. Arctic Cold’s new solar installation will significantly offset these expenses. With growth in mind, this site has also been designed to accommodate future integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS). Arctic Cold is also maintaining renewable energy credits (RECs). In all, these strategic initiatives will enable Arctic Cold to pursue LEED Certification for the Santa Maria facility.
“We know that cold storage facilities require a lot of energy. Arctic Cold sought out to offset those expenses and we were more than happy to offer a future-proofed solution,” said James Presta, Business Development Manager at REC Solar. “Arctic Cold is setting a standard for the cold storage industry by optimizing their facility design with energy savings and future growth in mind. We look forward to building on this relationship and working together to set an example of the economic and environmental benefits of solar for high-energy industries like food storage and processing.”
By engaging with REC Solar as an IPP, Arctic Cold will benefit from immediate savings with no capital investment or responsibility for designing, building, operating, or maintaining the system. This flexible structure ensures that Arctic Cold can allocate resources toward its operations while still reaping the benefits of predictable, long-term energy costs.
“Arctic Cold has a unique history of long-term leadership and experience in the cold storage industry and our investment into sustainable facilities speaks to our commitment to future-proofing our business,” said Tim Dayton, Arctic Cold President and CEO. “As we continue our efforts to build new, state-of-the-art facilities, keeping energy costs low and guarding against future volatility will be critical. Partnering with REC Solar will help us identify creative, long-term solutions for Arctic Cold and its customers.”
With an eye towards sustainability, Arctic Cold is focused on the energy efficiency of its facilities. Arctic Cold is also committed to investing in the local workforce and economy and plans to employ local union labor from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to support construction at the Santa Maria site. Built to scale, the facility represents a low-energy footprint for a traditionally high-energy industry and is equipped for future upgrades like battery storage, setting a benchmark for cold storage development.
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About REC Solar
Founded in 1997, REC Solar is a leading independent power producer (IPP) with nearly 30 years of expertise delivering, financing, owning and operating distributed energy assets nationwide. With 290+ MW under ownership, REC Solar provides end-to-end services – from engineering design and PPA financing to long-term ownership and operations. Backed by a decades-long track record of execution, REC Solar delivers the value, optimization and certainty organizations need to achieve their energy goals. For more information, please visit www.recsolar.com
About Arctic Cold
Arctic Cold is a leader in storage and distribution and provides premier temperature-controlled warehousing, blast freezing, and cross-docking services to customers across the U.S. With decades of experience handling everything from frozen to fresh commodities, state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to excellence, we ensure your products are handled with precision and efficiency from receipt to delivery, setting a new standard in cold storage solutions. Visit https://arcticllc.com/ to learn more.
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