Case Study – A Distributor’s Journey to Adopting Solar Power for Warehouse Operations
☀️ From rooftop panels to bottom-line impact—real change, real results.
Sustainability isn’t just about the products you stock—it’s about how you run your business. For one progressive building materials distributor, the move to solar-powered warehouse operations turned out to be a win-win for energy costs, public image, and long-term sustainability targets.
In this case study, we’ll explore how this distributor:
Adopted solar power at their flagship distribution center
Measured the ROI over 12 months
Integrated energy data into their ERP
Used the story to win new business and support ESG goals
🏢 Company Snapshot
Name: SolarSpan Building Supply
Region: Southwest U.S.
Focus: Structural steel, roofing, HVAC units, adhesives
Warehouse Size: 65,000 sq. ft.
Previous Challenge: Rising utility costs, lack of sustainability reporting, missed RFPs tied to ESG criteria
🔌 The Solar Switch: From Planning to Power-On
🔍 Initial Goals:
Offset 50% of warehouse electricity costs
Reduce Scope 2 emissions by 60%
Use solar data in ESG reporting and RFP submissions
Future-proof energy access for site expansion
⚙️ Implementation Details:
410-panel rooftop array
ERP integration with solar monitoring system (via API)
Monthly performance tracking for energy generation vs. usage
Dashboard KPIs for:
kWh generated
CO2 offset
Utility cost savings
📊 Energy savings data now visible alongside sales and inventory reports.
💼 The ERP Connection
✅ Real-Time Solar Metrics in Operations Dashboard
Facility managers track solar contribution vs. grid use
Alerts when generation drops due to maintenance/weather
✅ Sustainability Scorecard for Executives
Monthly CO2 reduction
YTD energy savings
Solar ROI tracking by location
✅ Marketing & Sales Support
Quotes now include “Powered by Solar” tag for government/green building clients
ESG reports generated directly from ERP solar logs
💡 The data doesn’t just sit—it sells.
🏆 The Results (Year 1)
58% reduction in electricity bills
102 tons of CO₂ offset
New contracts with two regional governments citing “verified green operations”
Improved ESG rating and reporting speed for internal and partner use
📞 Final Thoughts
Sustainability starts at home. For distributors looking to lead—not just follow—the move to solar offers real business benefits. And when the system integrates into your ERP, those benefits become measurable, reportable, and scalable.
📞 Thinking about solar? Let’s talk about how to track, promote, and monetize green operations through your ERP.
