RLS Logistics and HelioSage Energy have announced the successful commissioning of a 257 kilowatt solar array at the RLS headquarters in Newfield. The roof-mounted array will deliver energy cost savings to RLS over the life of the system, which is expected to be at least 25 years.

Under a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA, RLS will simply host the solar array and pay a monthly solar power bill, allowing the company to go solar without any capital outlay.

At no point will RLS be responsible for any capital expenditures or ongoing operations and maintenance costs. Under the 15-year contract, the price RLS will pay for solar electricity comes at a considerable discount to its current rates for utility power.

RLS Logistics CEO and President Anthony M. Leo said that while discounted power prices were a key motivator, conducting business with an eye towards sustainable operations was another.

"As I researched solar for my facility it became obvious that we could meet a portion of our power needs from a clean source, and at a better price," said Mr. Leo. "RLS has a reputation for delivering innovative supply chain solutions that benefit our customers, our partners, and our community. This is a great example."

According to HelioSage CEO Chris Walmsley, the recently commissioned system marks HelioSage's second project with a temperature controlled logistics provider. The first was with MTC Logistics, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Says Mr. Walmsley, "It's no secret that refrigerated storage requires a significant amount of electricity, and it's therefore not surprising that the economic benefits of solar are immediately evident to our clients in this space. Despite this obvious fit, though, each solar project is unique - and this is especially true with a client sector that commands such a sophisticated approach to facility and energy management. We are striving to solidify our reputation as the solar developer that has done their homework in cold storage."

HelioSage partnered with Dynamic Solar, LLC, for engineering, procurement, and construction. Dynamic completed EPC services through a design/build partnership with Southern Energy Management, out of Morrisville, NC. Dynamic Solar also provided system financing and will provide ongoing Operating and Maintenance services for the project.

Said Michael Perillo, President and CEO of Dynamic Solar, "Dynamic has earned a reputation as a premier solar energy service provider with capabilities to deliver genuinely turn-key solutions. Our fully integrated project for RLS Logistics is a great example of that ability, and we were pleased to work with outstanding partners in both HelioSage and Southern Energy Management to make it happen."

The 257 kilowatt array will produce over 300,000 kilowatt hours a year, enough electricity to power 25 typical homes in the United States. The corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to taking 40 passenger vehicles off the road, or avoiding 70 tons of landfill waste each year.

Construction on the solar array began in mid-October, and the system was commissioned on December 30, 2011. The interconnecting utility was Atlantic City Electric.