NOCO continues installing energy efficient lighting at 45 Tops stores

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Energy Solutions team at NOCO is working to install energy-efficient lighting at 45 stores of Tops Friendly Markets throughout New York state. NOCO is an energy company based in Tonawanda that has a local office at 1300 Wolf St. in Syracuse. The installation project, which started back in February and is now more than halfway complete, includes converting all interior and exterior lighting to LED (light-emitting diode.), per the company’s Sept. 30 announcement. Once these lighting upgrades are completed later this year, NOCO and Tops estimate annual savings of more than 16 million kilowatt hours or about $1.6 million on electricity costs. “At Tops, we are deeply committed to sustainability and responsible energy use, and this partnership with NOCO is another step forward in reducing our environmental footprint while enhancing our in-store experience,” Ron Ferri, president of Tops Markets, said in the NOCO announcement. “The transition to energy-efficient LED lighting not only supports our long-term operational goals but also helps us create a brighter, more welcoming environment for our customers and associates. We’re proud to lead with initiatives that deliver real impact for our communities and the planet.” The project in the impacted stores involves new lighting in customer-facing, backroom, and loading dock areas, including coolers, freezers, and deli cases. With this current project, Tops is responsible for paying about 36 percent of the total $4.7 million project cost, offsetting the remaining balance with available energy incentives and rebates through utility-efficiency programs in the geographic areas where the stores are located. “If you run a business, there are always factors outside of your control and rising electric prices are one of them, with no end in sight to continued rate increases,” Michael Casciano, president and COO of NOCO, said. “NOCO is committed to helping businesses optimize their energy usage while also reducing their energy costs. While Tops is already starting to see the cost benefits of their lighting conversion, these upgrades have also enhanced the quality of light within the stores, creating a more comfortable and appealing environment for their customers and employees.” Since 2019, Tops has been working to retrofit stores to LED lighting in addition to converting its parking lot lights and fuel station canopies across the chain’s footprint to LED fixtures to reduce energy consumption. When the lighting conversion is completed at these 45 Tops stores, about 121 of the grocer’s stores will have been upgraded. In recent years, Tops has reduced its electric consumption by 11.5 percent with various energy-saving initiatives involving mostly LED lighting, NOCO said.