Fast food eatery

serves up solar
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

Arby’s in Boone will be one of the first local restaurants to make a move toward solar energy.

The Winning Team, a North Carolina-based Arby’s franchisee, has committed to converting its hot-water heaters to solar energy, a response to both rising energy costs and a desire to become more environmentally friendly.

Appalachian Energy spokesperson Bryan Freeborn said one of the group’s Arby’s near Asheville is already using four solar panels to heat its water and said the other Arby’s restaurants in the region will see the same type of technology.

“The green industry and green movement is coming to the mainstream,” Freeborn said. “This is pretty much out-of-the-box technology.”

The regional Arby’s restaurants will use Appalachian Energy’s RESCOTM model, switching from conventional natural gas hot water heaters to solar-powered hot water heaters with no up-front capital cost. A total of 132 solar panels will produce hot water for the restaurants.

Appalachian Energy’s engineers monitor the system online from their North Carolina headquarters, using technology the company has developed in expanding its services to businesses and homes.

Arby’s will receive the hardware upfront, saving it the capital costs of conversion. According to Freeborn, the Winning Team will be cutting its bill for natural gas by approximately $12,000 annually and reducing greenhouse gases by around 100,000 pounds.

Scott Clark, CEO of Appalachian Energy, issued a statement on the value of partnerships with companies like The Winning Team.

“This partnership is based on a commitment to community, employers, the environment, and good economics,” he said.

“Through our Renewable Energy Service Company division, we are helping businesses keep the volatile energy market from eroding their bottom line and dispelling the myth that businesses can not afford green energy.”

There was no timeline in place for the conversion to the solar panels.