How a Phoenix clothing store cut energy costs by 68% with solar carports and management

The Challenge

Urban Threads, a 5,000 sq ft boutique in downtown Phoenix, faced escalating operational costs with summer electricity bills exceeding $2,800/month. The store's challenges included:

• High cooling demand (115°F summer temperatures)
• Limited roof space (historic building restrictions)
• Peak demand charges from extended operating hours (8am-9pm)
• Desire to maintain aesthetic appeal for upscale clientele

Our Solar Solution

Solarb designed a dual-purpose system that addressed both energy needs and customer experience:

• Solar Carport Canopy: 48kW system over the customer parking area using bifacial panels that generate power from both sides
• Smart Energy Management: Tesla Powerpack batteries to shift energy usage and reduce demand charges
• Cooling Optimization: Integrated pre-cooling strategy before peak rate periods
• Aesthetic Design: Custom powder-coated frames matching store branding

Solar Energy Solutions

Additional Benefits Realized

• Marketing Advantage: "Powered by Sunshine" campaign increased social media engagement
• Property Value: Appraisal increased by $220,000 due to solar assets
• Employee Comfort: 22% reduction in staff complaints about backroom temperatures
• Tax Benefits: $48,000 in first-year tax credits and depreciation

Technical Specifications

• System Size: 48.24 kW DC
• Panel Type: 156 x Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+ 310W Bifacial
• Inverters: 3 x SolarEdge SE25K
• Battery Storage: 2 x Tesla Powerpack (42 kWh total)
• Annual Production: 78,400 kWh
• Covered Parking: 12 spaces (90% of customer parking)