Solar Nation: Oregon Company Installs 42 KW Solar-Electric System on Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital Facility

Portland, Oregon-based Solar Nation announced the installation and commissioning of a 42kW solar-electric system on the Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital.

The appliance service and repair center in Portland installed solar power to reduce and stabilize energy costs and to follow through on its long-standing commitment to protecting the environment.

Solar Nation is a "full-service design/engineer/build solar-energy-systems and solutions provider serving business, government, and non-profits organizations." Using over a century of engineering, contracting, and distribution experience, the company’s expertise covers a broad range of vertically integrated disciplines including product development, manufacturing, licensing and distribution, electrical, mechanical, civil, and manufacturing engineering, energy regulation, finance, and commercial construction.

From rooftop arrays serving individual schools and businesses, to ground-mounted arrays deployed over hundreds of acres serving major metropolitan areas, Solar Nation’s projects reflect the knowledge of its team of analysts, professionals who help customers capitalize on the renewable energy revolution.  Since its founding in 2008, the privately held company has expanded its activities into nine western states.

Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital, founded in Portland, Oregon in 1947, is one of the largest providers of home-appliance service and repair in the Pacific Northwest.

The Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital installation includes 240 solar panels covering 3,293 square feet of preexisting roof space. This system will supply approximately 70 percent of the electrical energy needs for the 7,280 square foot, 53-employee facility.

According to Steve Merriam, owner of Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital, this was an exceptional opportunity to be good stewards of the environment for current and future generations.

“Installing a solar-electric system on our rooftop was complicated, requiring financing, permitting, incentive applications, and inspections,” Merriam said. “Solar Nation handled the complicated issues on our behalf, simplifying the entire process and allowing us to take advantage of a tremendous opportunity without disrupting our daily operations.” 

Paul Hodge, CEO of Solar Nation, said everyone benefits when businesses like Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital install solar-energy systems.

“Businesses that install solar-energy systems consume most of the power they produce, effectively increasing the overall capacity of the grid without the need for new power plants or transmission lines,” Hodge said. “The immediate cost savings to these businesses makes them stronger businesses, stronger employers, all while reducing carbon emissions and improving the environment.”

Over its 25-year warranted life, the Appliance & Refrigeration Hospital solar-energy system will keep approximately 826 tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. This is equivalent to driving an automobile over 1,052,547 miles or the annual CO₂ offset of over 33,050 trees.