Home to over 80 food trucks serving up flavors from Latin America and beyond, World Food Trucks in Kissimmee is making a significant move toward sustainability. They’ve launched a solar energy project aimed at powering much of their operations with renewable energy.
Their new rooftop solar system, equipped with 1,200 panels, is set to produce close to 1 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity each year. This is enough to energize about 90 homes in Florida and will cover roughly 75% of the total energy needs for the property, which also includes the nearby Visitors Flea Market.
Nadeem Battla, the owner, expressed the project’s importance: “This investment in solar isn’t just about reducing our carbon footprint; it’s about long-term sustainability for our food truck owners and customers. By cutting power costs, we’re creating a smarter business model that benefits everyone in the community.”
This new infrastructure also boosts resilience. In case of storms or power outages, World Food Trucks can continue operations using solar power, providing a safe space for first responders and local residents.
Interestingly, restaurants consume up to ten times more energy per square foot than other businesses. World Food Trucks’ switch to solar shows that high-demand establishments can operate sustainably. They expect to save around $19,600 annually in utility costs, which is a big help for a family-run business supporting many minority-owned food trucks.
This project was made possible through a $601,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program, which aids rural businesses in upgrading to renewable energy. Support also came from Climate First Bank and Duke Energy, which provided financial and expert assistance.
As World Food Trucks looks to expand beyond Florida, this solar initiative signifies a commitment to innovation, community, and a greener future. With sustainability being a trending topic, initiatives like this can inspire similar efforts across the food industry and beyond.
