Trinity Energy Delivers Blueprint for Large-Scale Solar, EV Charging at Costco’s Largest Distribution Center

Trinity Energy, a leading provider of turnkey sustainable energy solutions, announced in October 2025 the successful pre-commissioning of an integrated solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging system at Costco Wholesale’s Mira Loma and Ontario distribution centers in California. The project marks a significant step toward energy independence for one of the world’s largest retailers. Costco’s Mira Loma facility, the company’s largest distribution center globally, along with the Ontario site, now features fully integrated off-grid solar and battery systems paired with EV charging infrastructure to support the electrification of yard truck fleets. Together, the two sites will supply power for 20 electric yard trucks.

The project highlights a growing reality for businesses as energy independence becomes a strategic necessity. Without solutions such as solar generation, battery storage, and microgrid technologies, companies risk delayed expansion, limited fleet electrification, and increased exposure to volatile energy markets. By delivering a customized, integrated energy system for Costco, Trinity Energy has demonstrated how organizations can gain greater control over their energy supply and long-term operating costs.

“This project demonstrates that true energy independence is possible with a tailored, integrated system,” said Darin Leonard, CEO of Trinity Energy. “Large-scale companies like Costco must take control of their energy future, especially in an environment of increasing energy uncertainty. By designing solutions from the ground up, we help ensure they have the power they need when they need it.”

Across the United States, businesses are confronting mounting energy constraints. Grid capacity is increasingly insufficient to support corporate growth plans and state-level electrification mandates, creating uncertainty around future power availability while regulatory pressure to reduce emissions continues to rise. For large operators, the challenge extends beyond sustainability to whether the electrical grid can keep pace with business demands.

The U.S. Department of Energy has warned that blackouts resulting from global human-caused climate change could increase dramatically by 2030, noting that America’s reindustrialization will require a significantly larger supply of reliable, around-the-clock power. Similarly, a recent Cato Institute report, The Power Struggle: Examining the Reliability and Security of America’s Electrical Grid, underscores how grid limitations are already constraining business expansion, particularly in energy-intensive industries.

Trinity Energy specializes in off-grid renewable electrification solutions designed to deliver energy independence, resilience, and sustainability. Through modular systems that generate, store, and distribute solar power, the company serves fleet, hospitality, commercial, and multi-family housing sectors, transforming energy from a utility expense into a strategic business asset. For more information, visit www.TrinityEnergy.net.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Why EV Yard Trucks, EV Charging and Solar Are a Perfect Fit for Distribution Centers

Distribution centers are emerging as one of the most natural and high-impact environments for pairing electric vehicle charging with on-site solar energy. As logistics operations expand and fleets electrify, these facilities face growing energy demands, tight operating schedules, and increasing pressure to control costs and emissions. Integrating EV charging with solar power directly addresses each of these challenges.

Distribution centers typically operate large vehicle fleets with predictable routes and dwell times. Yard trucks, delivery vans, and regional trucks return to the same location daily and remain parked for extended periods, making them ideal candidates for scheduled, overnight, or opportunity charging. On-site charging eliminates reliance on public infrastructure and gives operators full control over uptime, scheduling, and fleet readiness.

Solar energy aligns naturally with the physical footprint of distribution centers. Large rooftops, parking canopies, and adjacent land provide ample space for solar installations without disrupting operations. Generating power on-site reduces dependence on the grid, lowers electricity costs, and protects facilities from demand charges and volatile utility pricing. When paired with battery storage, solar systems can deliver reliable power even during peak demand periods or grid outages.

The combination of solar, battery storage, and EV charging creates a resilient microgrid that supports both operational continuity and fleet electrification. Energy generated during the day can be stored and used to charge vehicles during off-peak hours, smoothing load profiles and avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades. This integrated approach also accelerates compliance with state and local emissions regulations while advancing corporate sustainability goals.

Beyond energy savings, the business case is increasingly strategic. Grid constraints and long interconnection timelines are becoming a barrier to expansion for many logistics operators. On-site solar and charging infrastructure reduce exposure to these risks, enabling faster deployment of electric fleets and supporting future growth without waiting for utility upgrades.

Orange EV, a Leader in Electric Yard Trucks

Orange EV is a leading provider of electric yard Trucks. The company recently announced that its deployed fleet has surpassed 10 million operating hours.

“Ten million hours makes one thing clear: Orange EV has taken electric terminal trucks from possible to proven,” said Kurt Neutgens, President and CTO of Orange EV. “Our 340 customers are operating at an average of 97% uptime, with no compromises, proving you can cut costs, boost performance, and improve health and safety all at once.”

Since its first delivery in 2015, the company has deployed more than 1,600 trucks across 40 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Collectively, the fleet has logged nearly 27 million miles, avoided roughly 200,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, and saved customers an estimated $100 million in fuel and maintenance costs compared with diesel yard trucks.

Orange EV reports average fleet uptime of 97% across its 340 customers, underscoring reliability at scale. Several trucks have exceeded 30,000 operating hours and remain in daily service, with some approaching 10 years of use on their original LFP battery packs. The company also highlighted that no Orange EV battery has experienced a thermal event over more than a decade of operation.

Its flagship e-TRIEVER terminal truck is supported by an industry-leading 7.5-year warranty on batteries and key EV components and is offered as part of a turnkey solution that includes trucks, charging infrastructure, and service. Orange EV positions this track record as evidence that electric terminal trucks are not just viable, but proven, delivering cost savings, emissions reductions, and operational reliability for fleets.