Specialty outdoor retailer REI has completed a 2.2 megawatt rooftop solar installation at its new distribution center in Goodyear which is expected to offset 100 percent of the facility’s annual electricity consumption.

The project was completed in conjunction with Blue Oak Energy, which has worked on numerous other solar installations for REI facilities.

“REI’s ambitious net-zero energy distribution center is a landmark project and houses one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in Arizona,” Kirk Meyers, sustainability manager at REI said. “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Blue Oak Energy team. Their ongoing partnership is representative of what it takes to complete complex energy projects like this.”

 The Blue Oak team helped conceptualize the building and construction plans and was involved in every aspect of the project. Each item was carefully selected to maximize return for REI’s co-op members – an area of major importance to the company. 

“We’ve built a tremendous relationship with REI, installing more than 25 systems at REI locations across the nation,” Blue Oak Energy CEO Tobin Booth said. “For this latest installation, we once again joined forces with REI, staying by their side every step of the way to offer expertise and provide guidance on the building’s energy production, costs and financial returns to ultimately help them reach their ambitious environmental goals.”

“Each customer is unique and brings their own set of requirements and key considerations to the table,” Booth said. “There is no one-size-fits-all solar system. We respect those distinctive needs and collaborate deeply with our clients from day one to develop unique solutions. I can think of no better example of that integrated approach than this net-zero distribution center with REI.”