At Sprague, innovation has always been at the core of our energy solutions. With more than 155 years of experience helping businesses adapt to shifting energy markets, we understand the importance of turning challenges into opportunities. Tank Solar highlights how above-ground storage tanks have the potential to become productive assets, transforming unused roof space into renewable power.
Piloting Solar on Real Tank Roofs
In 2017 and 2019, Sprague installed solar panels on the tank roofs of two operational terminals. The goal was to test whether tank roof solar had the potential to deliver consistent performance without disrupting operations. The results show encouraging outcomes: steady electricity production, no operational disruption, and measurable cost benefits from space that previously required only maintenance.
By the end of 2025, our pilot is expected to generate 440,000 kWh of electricity—the equivalent of powering 121 homes for a year. Over 20 years, projected output rises to 8.8 million kWh, or the equivalent of 2,418 homes powered. This pilot suggests that our solar installations have significant potential to deliver long-term value.
The Nationwide Potential
With more than 600,000 above-ground storage tanks across the United States, the opportunity is substantial with Tank Solar. If just 100 similar sites adopted solar, installations could generate 440 million kWh per year. That output has the potential to power 12,092 homes annually, equate to planting more than 320,000 trees, or offset emissions from 4,500 gas-powered vehicles.
These figures illustrate the large-scale sustainability and operational opportunities that solar may provide when deployed more broadly.
Why Tank Solar May Make Sense for Your Business
Our solution is designed to help you:
- Control and reduce operating costs
- Lower terminal emissions
- Generate on-site power without disrupting operations
By putting your tank roofs to work, you can turn idle space into potential value.
See It in Action
The infographic below provides a clear, visual look at Sprague’s Solar Tank Pilot Project results and the potential benefits nationwide. Explore the data and consider how using Tank Solar might fit into your long-term energy strategy with Sprague.
