#1Reality
Large facilities operate around the clock.
Warehouses and logistics facilities rely on continuous electricity for lighting, conveyors, refrigeration, automation systems, EV fleets, and distribution operations.
Operational reality
Why energy matters in warehousing & logistics.
#2Reality
Electricity costs scale with facility size.
As facilities expand and operations become more automated, rising utility rates and demand charges create increasing pressure on operating costs.
#3Reality
Operational efficiency drives profitability.
Energy-intensive distribution environments depend on predictable operating costs to maintain efficiency, throughput, and competitive margins.
#4Reality
Energy infrastructure supports long-term resilience.
Solar, storage, LED lighting, and electrical upgrades help reduce operating costs, improve energy predictability, and support modern logistics operations.
Featured project
Syfilco LTD — 496 kW distribution rooftop solar.
Ballasted flat-roof solar at a textile distribution facility in Exeter, Ontario. A representative example of commercial solar for warehousing and distribution facilities. Sized to offset daytime base load and reduce exposure to rising utility rates.
Project results
496 kW
DC system size
Ballasted flat-roof PV array
585,000
kWh generated annually
Based on facility model
Syfilco
Client
Syfilco LTD · textile distribution
Feb 2024
Commercial operation
ESA inspection completed
System details · Syfilco LTD
- Location
- Exeter, Ontario
- Client
- Syfilco LTD
- Facility
- Distribution & manufacturing warehouse
- System size
- 496 kW DC
- Mounting
- Ballasted flat-roof racking
- Interconnect
- Behind-the-meter, net-metered
- Commissioned
- February 2024
Also in this sector
- Northland Building SuppliesEdmonton, ABCommercial rooftop·Distribution centre·Commissioned Jun 2024
- Goodspeeds DistributionNova ScotiaIndustrial rooftop·Regional 3PL·Commissioned Apr 2025
Sector applications
Different logistics operations. Different energy profiles.
Warehousing and logistics facilities span very different operating profiles — from continuous distribution centres to refrigeration-heavy cold storage to fleet depots planning electrification. Each calls for a different sequencing of measures.
Distribution Centres
Large-scale distribution facilities operate extensive lighting, conveyor systems, dock equipment, and climate control systems around the clock. Energy strategies often focus on reducing operational costs while supporting high-throughput logistics operations.
Cold Storage Warehousing
Temperature-controlled warehouses require continuous refrigeration systems to preserve perishable goods and maintain strict storage conditions. Refrigeration loads, backup power, and energy efficiency are critical to operational reliability.
Transportation & Fleet Facilities
Fleet depots, trucking terminals, and vehicle maintenance facilities consume energy through fueling systems, ventilation, lighting, and EV charging infrastructure. Modernization efforts increasingly focus on electrification and operational efficiency.
E-Commerce Fulfillment Centres
High-volume fulfillment facilities rely on automation, robotics, sorting equipment, and extended operating hours to support rapid order processing. Managing electricity demand and equipment performance is essential for operational continuity.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Facilities
3PL operations support multiple clients with varying storage, handling, and distribution requirements. Flexible energy solutions help optimize warehouse operations while accommodating changing logistics demands.
Port, Rail & Intermodal Facilities
Intermodal terminals and freight handling facilities require energy for material handling equipment, yard lighting, refrigeration connections, and transportation infrastructure. Energy resilience and operational uptime are key priorities in large-scale logistics environments.
Not sure which sub-sector best describes your facility? That's usually the right place to start a conversation. A 20-minute call is enough to map your load profile against the right scope of work.
Our discovery process
Start with a baseline. Not a commitment.
Most distribution and logistics facilities already have enough operational and utility data to identify meaningful energy-saving opportunities. The first step is understanding how the facility consumes power and where the strongest payback exists.
STEP 01
Quick 20-minute discovery call.
We review your facility type, square footage, operating hours, fleet electrification plans, and current priorities. No commitment required.
STEP 02
12 months of utility bills.
Interval and utility billing data help identify:
- demand-charge exposure
- operating load profile
- time-of-use consumption
- refrigeration & lighting load
- potential solar, storage & LED economics
STEP 03
Documented facility baseline.
We produce a facility-specific baseline covering consumption, demand charges, and a ranked list of measures — the reference point for capital planning and procurement.
Book a 20-minute discovery callNo commitment required.
Questions from facility managers & operations directors
Frequently asked questions.
Warehousing and logistics energy questions — specific to distribution, fulfillment, cold-chain, and fleet operations.
Most modern distribution facilities have large, unobstructed flat roofs ideal for solar. A short structural assessment confirms whether the existing roof can carry the additional dead load and where mechanical penetrations, skylights, and roof drainage place constraints on the array layout. For older buildings or buildings with a near-term re-roofing schedule, we coordinate solar timing against the re-roof so the array is installed on a fresh membrane.
Large warehouses commonly pay both energy charges (cents per kWh) and demand charges (dollars per kW of peak draw). Demand charges are set by the highest 15-minute interval each month and can represent a substantial fraction of the bill. Battery storage discharges during short peak events to keep the metered demand below the threshold that sets the monthly bill, producing operating cost reductions independent of energy savings — and providing resilience for cold-chain, automation, and security systems.
Sometimes — but only after the existing service capacity and load profile are reviewed. We assess available capacity, model the proposed charging load, and identify whether smart load management can defer or eliminate the need for a service upgrade. For higher-power fleet charging or sites already near service capacity, an upgrade may be unavoidable. Identifying that early avoids emergency electrical work under deadline pressure from a fleet replacement schedule.
High-bay LED retrofits in 24/7 warehouses typically pay back within two to four years through reduced electricity consumption, lower lamp-replacement and maintenance costs, and reduced HVAC heat-rejection load on cooled spaces. This is usually the fastest-payback measure in the building. We size it against your operating hours, current fixture inventory, and saveONenergy incentive eligibility.
Yes — most federal and provincial programs are available to both owners and tenants, with the eligible party determined by who owns the equipment and bears the project cost. We help structure the project so that the right party captures the incentive and the savings flow through the lease in a defensible way. For long-term tenants, this typically involves a green-lease amendment or a side agreement covering equipment ownership, capital allocation, and incentive attribution.
Knowledge Centre
Warehousing & Logistics Energy Questions
Straight answers from our engineering team — explore the most-asked questions on this topic.
- Is my warehouse roof a good candidate for solar?
- How does battery storage reduce demand charges?
- Can EV and forklift charging be added without a service upgrade?
- What is the typical payback for a high-bay LED retrofit?
- Do incentive programs apply to leased warehouse facilities?
- Can LED lighting improve visibility and safety in warehouses?
