SmartStop Self Storage REIT Inc., a self-managed real estate investment trust, has been recognized as a leading adopter of solar power among U.S. corporations by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in its “Solar Means Business 2022” report. SmartStop ranked in the top 1% for number of solar installations and top 6% for solar capacity (megawatts) among more than 5,000 businesses that took part in the survey, according to a press release.

SEIA is the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry. Its annual survey tracks and analyzes commercial solar adoption. Through June 2022, U.S. businesses had installed nearly 19 gigawatts (GW) of onsite and offsite solar capacity, which was more than double the 9.4 GW installed through 2019, SEIA reported.

Businesses account for 14% of all installed solar capacity in the U.S., with Meta, Amazon, Apple, Walmart and Microsoft ranking as the top five adopters, according to the report.

“SmartStop strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability and values the recognition of SEIA,” said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of SmartStop. “Several years ago, we recognized that we could make an impact by powering our locations using renewable, clean energy. We plan to continue the expansion of our solar program with installations at existing and newly acquired facilities across the country.”

In addition to solar installations, SmartStop’s environmental initiatives include interior, motion-sensing lights and interior/exterior LED lighting, the release stated.

“Solar Means Business” tracks more than 47,000 solar installations nationwide. Commercial installations are expected to double over the next three years with nearly 27 GW of offsite corporate projects scheduled to come online by 2025.

SmartStop operates the SmartStop Self Storage brand in addition to sponsoring private self-storage programs through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors LLC. It has more than 175 storage facilities in 22 U.S. states and Toronto.

Sources:
Business Wire, SmartStop Self Storage Named a Top Corporate Solar User by the Solar Energy Industries Association
SEIA, Report: Corporate Solar Adoption Soars, Accounts for 14% of U.S. Solar Market