Southern Energy Management, HelioSage and MTC Logistics Power Baltimore Facility With Solar

June 14, 2011 - PRLog -- BALTIMORE, MD - MTC Logistics, Inc., the oldest and largest temperature controlled logistics company in the state of Maryland, has "gone solar." Adding to an existing track record of environmentally sustainable operations, MTC Logistics now owns one of the largest roof mounted solar installations in the state, located at the company's Port of Baltimore distribution facility. HelioSage, a Charlottesville, VA based solar energy services provider, was retained by MTC Logistics as owner's advisor for the project. HelioSage handled procurement, SREC contracting, and project oversight.

The 736.9 kW roof mount installation consists of 3,136 REC 235 watt solar panels that will generate an estimated 842,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually -- enough electricity to power 73 average homes. The environmental attributes associated with the solar array will offset approximately 600 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year of operation, equivalent to taking 115 passenger cars off the road or avoiding 200 tons of landfill waste each year. The installation is made even more valuable due to the fact that MTC's peak energy usage typically coincides with the time of day when solar power is producing the most electricity, meaning the facility will be less reliant on the grid when demand is highest.

"Powering our Baltimore facility with solar is something we've had in mind since the day we purchased this site in 2008," said Harry Halpert, President of MTC Logistics. "Our intention from the outset was to make this facility one of the most environmentally friendly distribution centers in the nation." Halpert added, "This system will also provide a partial hedge against volatile electric prices and fits very well with the other energy curtailment initiatives employed by our company."

Construction of the solar array was handled by Southern Energy Management (SEM), a North Carolina based solar integrator picked as the winning bidder by HelioSage. "SEM brought the right combination of experience, creative design, and competitive pricing to the equation," said Myles Burnsed, VP of Operations for HelioSage. "Our assessment of bids takes into account a host of criteria, and is based on our experience negotiating with solar contractors for the projects we own ourselves. We are confident MTC Logistics got the right system, at the right price."

"We are thrilled to be a part of this project with HelioSage and to help MTC reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources while constructing a perfect billboard for renewable energy," said Blair Kendall, SEM's Director of Business Development. "Every day thousands of people drive past this array along Interstate 95 and get to see a solar installation that serves as a symbol of the progress being made in the state, thanks to companies like MTC and their commitment to clean energy."

A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for later this summer.

Media Contacts:
Danny Van Clief, HelioSage | dvanclief@heliosage.com http://www.heliosage.com
Chris Cowperthwaite, Southern Energy Management | chris@southern-energy.com http://www.southern-energy.com

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Southern Energy Management is a North Carolina-based sustainable energy company offering energy efficiency, green building and turn-key solar services for homeowners, builders, companies, government and military clients across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. A certified B Corp, SEM's mission is to have a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and to build a sustainable triple-bottom-line company. SEM was founded in a living room in Raleigh in 2001, and now employs a team of nearly 100 sustainable energy professionals. SEM is consistently recognized as an industry leader both locally and nationally, and is among a small handful of companies in the U.S. to earn the National Energy Star Partner of the Year award five times (in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011). SEM also received the City of Raleigh 2011 Environmental Stewardship Award and the 2010 Green Jobs Award from SJF Institute & Green For All. www.southern-energy.com.