Frost River Trading saves money and energy with solar power

Over the past couple of years, Frost River Trading has invested in more than 100 solar panels on the roof and around the building to help save money and energy during daily operations.

What comes to mind when you think of the ideal type of renewable energy in the Nordics? Maybe the wind among the November winds? Despite the windy and snowy Halloween weather, residents and businesses using solar power are still reaping the benefits. Frost River Trading owner Chris Benson says solar power is a real competitor.

“The reality is that geographically we are really a strong sun and a sunny area,” Benson said. “Another thing I really like about solar panels is that they are maintenance free. They just sit there and you leave them alone.”

Frost River Trading Co. has approximately 140 solar panels installed around and on the roof of its building. They work and have been working for about a year. Benson says the company will only have four and a half years to break even.

“With our solar panels and the energy we generate, we have a bi-directional meter. On a sunny weekend in Duluth, we generate more energy than we can use,” Benson said. “So it actually goes back into the grid and goes to our neighbors. And Minnesota Power pays us back for the energy we don’t use.”

He added that solar panels require virtually no maintenance, which allows for lower cost after initial installation. Thanks to the summer sun, the company has had almost no electricity bills for the past few months.

“When you’re dealing with wind turbines or things like that, there’s more maintenance involved,” Benson said. “But because we’ve put in solar panels, they just sit on top, deal with the rain and snow and everything else and just keep generating power.”

Ever since Frost River Trading went solar, it’s business as usual, even during the busy holiday season.

“I think we care more about energy consumption. So whenever possible, we retrofit sewing machines with motors that use less energy,” said Benson. “Because at the end of the day, there’s a limited amount of energy you can generate from a roof.”

For more information on solar panel installation in Duluth, you can read more here. You can also read the story about Frost River Trading Co.’s journey. to solar panels here.