Case Study
Krispy Kreme
Project Size:
100kW Rooftop Solar
Krispy Kreme Australia isn’t just dedicated to making great doughnuts—it’s also committed to reducing its environmental impact through sustainable business practices. By partnering with Smart Commercial Solar, Krispy Kreme is now powering its flagship production facility with renewable energy, setting the stage for a greener future in doughnut production.
But Krispy Kreme’s journey into renewable energy represents more than just an operational upgrade—it’s a strategic step toward building a sustainable future for its brand and customers.
Key Project Stats
1.1MWh in daily generation
90% self-sufficiency overall
Enhanced customer comfort
OBJECTIVES
Krispy Kreme Australia set an ambitious goal: to reduce its carbon footprint and cut down energy costs across its production facilities, beginning with the Sydney doughnut production plant. Through partnering with Smart, Commercial Solar Krispy Kreme aimed to make sustainability a core part of its operational efficiency. Their objective was to offset a significant portion of their energy use with on-site solar generation, ensuring sustainability is ‘baked in’ to their operations. In the words of Head of Engineering and Facilities ANZ, Alex Salnikov, solar is the company’s number one strategy in their environmental pillar, because “it makes sense and it’s relatively easy to implement”.
Finally, for Krispy Kreme it was important that the installation allowed their operations to maintain the high standards of reliability and consistency required for doughnut production.
SOLUTION
Smart implemented a solar PV system customised to meet Krispy Kreme’s unique energy needs. The installation was designed to maximise energy capture and use, taking into account peak production times to reduce dependence on the grid. With Smart Commercial Solar’s expertise, the system aligns with Krispy Kreme’s high-volume production requirements, ensuring it meets sustainability goals without impacting operational performance.
As Shaun Wells, Senior Project Manager, describes the process, “from initial sale to project completion in under 24 days, we transformed a challenging suspended insulated panel installation into a seamless, expertly engineered solar solution.”
"The partnership with Smart Commercial Solar has enabled us to take a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future. This project is more than a cost-saving initiative; it's about embedding sustainability into every doughnut we produce."
ALEX SALNIKOV, HEAD OF ENGINEERING AND FACILITIES, KRISPY KREME ANZ
CHALLENGES
The integration of a solar energy system into an existing production facility posed unique challenges. Krispy Kreme needed an installation that would not interrupt their continuous production schedules or alter the doughnut-making environment. Site-specific adaptations were essential to work around structural limitations while maintaining efficiency.
Additionally, energy consumption during peak doughnut production times required a system that could balance grid dependency with solar generation. The Smart team worked closely with Krispy Kreme to create a tailored design that fits seamlessly with existing operations, ensuring sustainability without compromise.
“We knew this project had to be handled with precision to fit Krispy Kreme’s energy demands. Smart Commercial Solar delivered a solution that has not only decreased our carbon emissions but also brought operational savings that strengthen our bottom line."
ALEX SALNIKOV, HEAD OF ENGINEERING AND FACILITIES, KRISPY KREME ANZ
THE FUTURE
Building on the success of the Sydney production facility, Krispy Kreme is exploring additional locations for similar solar installations. As the partnership progresses, there is also the potential to expand solar capacity at the Sydney plant to further increase energy independence. Krispy Kreme’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact is set to grow, with clean energy shaping the future of its production facilities.
Through their partnership with Smart Commercial Solar, Krispy Kreme is leading by example in the food production industry, showing how clean energy can contribute to both environmental goals and business resilience. With more locations planned for solar, Krispy Kreme continues to roll out positive changes, one doughnut at a time.
“Krispy Kreme has been a loyal customer for several years, and we appreciate their ongoing support. Smart prioritises establishing long term energy partnerships with all our customers, and this comes from transparent communication, seamless delivery and honest, reliable performance reporting and servicing.
A relationship for a 20-year investment like solar shouldn't stop at practical completion. Smart hope to continue assisting Krispy Kreme to reach their sustainability goals through on-site energy generation.”
NICK BLACKLOCK, HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SMART COMMERCIAL SOLAR
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