Commercial Case Studies

AIS Industrial & Construction Supply

Tools and brands since 1945, AIS Industrial and Construction Supply has been building relationships with the world’s premier Industrial and Construction product manufacturers to bring customers an extensive line card for value, convenience and variety. Photon Brothers provided AIS with solar on three separate buildings totaling almost a 91kW system, then included a 44kW battery storage for secure power supply. Taking advantage of the tax credits and rebates available to help offset much of the cost of going solar, AIS will see a 30-year savings of $552,463 on their electric bill.

Granite Imports

Granite Imports is one of Colorado’s largest suppliers for kitchen and bath countertops. With showrooms in Denver, Fort Collins and Grand Junction, they have thousands of full and half slabs, discerningly sourced from quarries around the world. Photon Brothers helped Granite Imports secure several tax credits and rebates, helping offset the majority of the cost for this $171,500 solar system. Now thanks to going solar, Granite Imports can look forward to a 30-year savings of $629,749 on their electricity bill!

Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling

Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling is responsible for first point processing of almonds directly from the farmer, which involves hulling and shelling using heavy machinery. The hulling and shelling equipment is state-of-the-art and requires an immense amount of electrical power in the post-harvest season, costing the business over $260,000 each year. The megawatt ground-mounted solar PV system installed by Photon Brothers in early 2017, now produces 81% of the company’s electrical needs resulting in annual savings of over $210,000.

AAA Kindness Care Home

Nestled in the foothills of Santa Maria, California, the AAA Kindness Care Home is a very unique elderly care facility that provides highly trained care and specializes in nurturing joyful relationships in a small, ​“homey” setting. Photon Brothers is pleased to have helped owners Charles and Amparo Hunt reduce the home’s overhead expenses, which can be allocated in other ways to continually improve the facility and the level of care provided. The 37 kW ground-mounted solar array installed at the back of the facility offsets 100% of the electricity used at the home, and additionally offsets the usage from the neighboring fields’ irrigation pumps, which the Hunts lease to a local farmer.

Chamisal Vineyards

In 1973 Chamisal became the first winery to plant vines in Edna Valley, a gamble that paved the way for one of the most revered wine regions of California. Chamisal Vineyards is fully committed to maintaining a long-term sustainable approach to managing its vineyard and facilities. As such, Chamisal has earned the comprehensive SIP (Sustainability in Practice) which is annually earned through ensuring that environmentally and socially responsible practices are maintained throughout the business. Photon Brothers is pleased to support their commitment to sustainability by installing a 100 kW roof mounted solar PV array on their winery. The project was completed in March of 2017 and financed through the California REEP grant. The system offsets nearly a third of their current electrical usage and the owners intend to install up to 400 kW in the next few years to achieve a complete electrical offset.

Anderson Burton

Nationally integrated engineering, design and construction firm committed to environmental stewardship. Photon Brothers is proud to have helped Anderson Burton meet its sustainability goals for its main office, headquartered in Arroyo Grande, CA. With the addition of their 22 kW SunPower solar PV system, they have been able to eliminate their annual cost of electricity entirely, saving approximately $7,225 each year.

Advance Beverage Company

Advance Beverage is continually recognized as one of the outstanding Anheuser-Busch distributors in the nation. Since 1982, the company has been annually awarded the Anheuser-Busch Ambassador Award which symbolizes the best of the best. Currently, Advance Beverage employs 150 individuals with annual sales exceeding 5 million cases is committed to excellence and leadership in the market we serve. The company and its employees actively support many local charities and strive to improve the overall quality of life in our community. The 520 kW SunPower roof ballasted array will offset 92% of the electrical costs associated with cooling large warehouse spaces, which amounts to annual savings of over $170,000.

The Villages

The Villages takes a holistic approach to retirement living, building neighborhoods that enhance residents’ health and lives within our senior living community. Whether it be by our culinary presentation or our mind/​body recreational opportunities, The Villages team nurtures a more independent, worry-free, safe and enjoyable retirement lifestyle on the Central Coast. The 520 kW REC roof ballasted array will offset 92% of the electrical costs associated with cooling large warehouse spaces, which amounts to annual savings of $175,000.

Pueblo Regional Building Department

The Pueblo Regional Building Department is dedicated to promoting and preserving building safety through professional and courteous service. The purpose of the Department is to educate the public, enforce minimum building code standards through teamwork and personal pride, and to enhance the relationship with the public and building community. Photon Brothers installed a new 57-kilowatt system on their existing downtown Pueblo building, leading the city to almost $1,000,000 in savings on their energy bill throughout the next 30 years. With the $107,000 installation, the Department will be saving almost $65,000 on their system in rebates, with a projected 831% return on investment once the installation is completed.

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals is a national membership association that goes above and beyond great liability insurance to make it easier for massage and bodywork practitioners and students to succeed. Photon Brothers helped Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals secure several tax credits and rebates, helping offset the majority of the cost for this $319,160 solar system. Now thanks to going solar, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals can look forward to a 30-year savings of $1.2 million on their electricity bill!