Sugar Bowl Bakery Installs Solar Energy System

Sugar Bowl Bakery, one of the largest family- and minority-owned bakeries operating in the United States, is installing solar modules and electric vehicle charging stations at its current plant to increase the energy efficiency of the facility. 

With the installation of a photovoltaic system, Sugar Bowl Bakery will have the capacity to produce 700,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which offsets 65 percent of the facility’s current electricity usage. Sugar Bowl Bakery’s decision to incorporate cutting edge and renewable technology within its factory will help shape the future of the baking industry.

“We are making progress in the sustainability movement and instilling positive changes that make the company become more efficient, and serve our customers better, all while helping the environment,” said Andrew Ly, CEO. “With the installation of this new system, Sugar Bowl Bakery will significantly decrease its carbon footprint.” 

Some 1,600 solar modules will be installed on the roof of the plant to produce electricity for the next 25 years, which are the most panels for a commercial business in Hayward, Calif. This is equal to 17 million kWh over the life of the system, saving 12.5 million pounds of carbon from being emitted and 1.3 million gallons of gasoline from being consumed. To continue making the company more efficient and to drive corporate social responsibility, Sugar Bowl Bakery will also offer employees the ability to charge their cars with four on-site electric vehicle chargers, which are connected to the system. 

“We are excited and proud to be able to provide more eco-friendly driving options to our employees,” said Ly. “This change will hopefully encourage all of the Sugar Bowl Bakery family to think about their personal impact on the environment.”

In 1984, five immigrant brothers pooled their savings together to open the first Sugar Bowl Bakery, a small neighborhood coffee shop in San Francisco. Sugar Bowl Bakery has since become a leader in developing quality baked goods and is now one of the largest bakeries operated in Northern California. The award-winning bakery’s lines of baked goods are sold at various supermarket chains and warehouse clubs.