Installation of 1.19 Megawatt Solar Power System by American Capital Energy
Expected to Provide 1.5 Megawatts Annually of Clean Energy Production
DAYVILLE, Conn., July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Extending its
commitment to Environmentally Responsible Initiatives, United Natural Foods,
Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) (the "Company") today announced plans to install a 1.19
megawatt solar power system that will cover 175,000 square feet of rooftop at
the Company's 487,000 square foot distribution facility in Rocklin, CA. To
develop and install the new solar power system, the Company contracted with
American Capital Energy, a Massachusetts-based firm specializing in solar
power project integration.
Construction of the Rocklin solar power project began in July 2007, with
the power-generating panels expected to be in operation by the end of summer
of 2007. The Rocklin solar power system will utilize more than 7,000 Sharp
170 solar modules, two SatCon 500 kW inverters and the Unirac S-5 mounting
system for a non-penetrating and low-profile installation.
When completed, the solar power system is expected to provide an average
of approximately 1,500,000 kWh annually of clean energy production at this
facility, which is the equivalent of powering 140 average American households
for a year, and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 19 metric tons
annually. According to industry statistics, the solar power system is
believed to be the fourth largest solar array in California and the sixth
largest in the United States.
Michael Funk, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "This
solar power system is yet another example of United Natural Foods' commitment
to Environmentally Responsible Initiatives. Further, it is especially
gratifying to work towards protecting the environment while at the same time
improving our infrastructure to enhance efficiencies and lower costs. It's
truly a win-win situation where everyone benefits."
The Rocklin facility is the headquarters for UNFI's Western Region;
employs approximately 550 people; serves customers in northern California,
northern Nevada, southern Oregon, and Hawaii; and is the largest facility in
Company's nationwide distribution network. United Natural Foods has the
largest warehouse capacity of any distributor in the natural products industry
and, with the recently announced plans to open a facility in Sarasota,
Florida, it will have more than 3.7 million square feet of space at 16
distribution centers nationwide.
Focus on a Greener Environment
"United Natural Foods remains committed to a greener environment by
investing in technology that will allow us to operate more competitively while
utilizing clean, renewable energy," said Thomas A. Dziki, United Natural Foods
Vice President of Sustainable Development. "We continue to explore ways to
reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use
in keeping with the natural charter of our business."
"We are proud to partner with United Natural Foods in driving their solar
initiative and look forward to working with them in building momentum behind
the solid business case for solar energy implementation," said Tom Hunton,
president of American Capital Energy. "Going solar currently provides
companies a real competitive advantage, which will only increase as the cost
for energy continues to escalate."
Project Consistent with United Natural Foods Commitment to Reduce
Greenhouse Gases
United Natural Foods has an ongoing commitment to Environmentally
Responsible Initiatives. As part of these efforts, in February 2007, the
Company announced its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership, a voluntary collaboration
between the EPA and companies with truck fleets designed to increase energy
efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
United Natural Foods' fuel saving strategies reduced over 14,200 metric tons
of CO2 emissions from its Eastern Region fleet from 2005 to 2006. It
accomplished this by directing its drivers to reduce excessive engine idling
and through the increased use of low-friction lubricants.
Summary of the Solar Power Generation System
Installation site: Roof of the Rocklin, CA distribution
center
Annual clean energy production: 1.5 megawatts
Global warming prevention effects: Expected to reduce CO2 emissions by
19 metric tons annually
About American Capital Energy, Inc. American Capital Energy provides full-service solar energy project
integration and installation for large commercial enterprises. The company is
committed to furthering the utilization of solar energy by America's most
forward thinking companies by offering customized turnkey solar systems
designed for long term performance and verifiable return on investment.
American Capital Energy is run by solar project professionals with decades of
combined experience in project development and deep knowledge in the solar
industry. Company president Tom Hunton will be addressing the International
Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) Assembly of Committees in
Washington, DC on July 31st at 8:30 AM ET. For more information, please visit
www.americancapitalenergy.com.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes more than 40,000
products to more than 18,000 customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide
variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural
product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service
channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the
"Best Managed Companies in America," ranked by Fortune in 2006 and 2007 as one
of its "Most Admired Companies," and ranked by Business Ethics as one of its
"100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2006." For more information on United
Natural Foods please visit www.unfi.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve
risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties,
which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to general business
conditions, the impact of competition and our dependence on principal
customers, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
filed with the Commission on June 7, 2007, and its other filings under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any forward-looking statements
are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and,
as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to
update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of
its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future
results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee
that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change
and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from
time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not
obligated to do so.
SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc.
CONTACT: Thomas A. Dziki, Vice President of Sustainable Development,
United Natural Foods, Inc., 1-860-779-2800; Financial Relations Board -
General Information: Joseph Calabrese, 1-212-827-3772, Media: Thomas Corbett,
1-312-640-6757; for American Capital Energy - General Information & Media:
Rich Schineller, 1-941-726-9090, Rich@prmgt.com
Web site: http://www.unfi.com
http://www.americancapitalenergy.com
(UNFI)