Juanito Baker reduces energy dependence with SunPower: up to 80% self-consumption in a real industrial installation

In an industrial bakery facility, energy is not a secondary cost. It is a critical factor for operational continuity.

Electric ovens running continuously.
Cold storage systems operating 24/7.
Freezing processes that cannot be interrupted.

This is the context in which Juanito Baker, based in Vélez Málaga, made a strategic decision: to generate its own energy.

The result is a 109.45 kW solar PV installation powered by SunPower Shingled technology, capable of covering approximately 80% of the facility’s energy self-consumption, even within a technically complex environment.

When energy consumption stops being an uncontrollable variable

For a company with constant electricity demand directly linked to production, the challenge is not only cost - it is uncertainty.

As explains Ismael Medina, HR Manager at Juanito Baker:

“A significant portion of the energy we consume during the day is now generated directly on-site, helping us reduce our exposure to electricity price fluctuations.”

The solar installation does not change how production operates - but it transforms how the business is managed.

✓ More control
✓ Better predictability
✓ Less dependency

All without operational friction:

“On a day-to-day basis, it requires no attention from our side. We simply know we are generating part of the energy we need for our activity,” Medina adds.

A decision that goes beyond cost savings

Energy savings were the trigger - but not the only driver.

“In addition to reducing energy costs, it was also important for us to move towards a more sustainable model,” Medina notes.

In the food industry, sustainability is no longer just a narrative. It is a competitive factor. Reducing carbon footprint impacts not only costs, but also brand positioning, reputation and long-term business coherence.

The role of the partner: technology and trust on the ground

The project was developed in collaboration with Intelligent Energy Connection (IEC Group), an authorized SunPower partner and part of the SunPower Partner Network.

This model is central to SunPower’s approach: beyond providing high-performance technology, the company works with a network of certified partners who ensure that each installation is executed to the highest standards.

In this case, the existing relationship between IEC and Juanito Baker played a key role.

IEC had previously collaborated with the company on other projects, which helped facilitate the adoption of SunPower technology.

This level of trust made the decision not just technical, but strategic - ensuring that the solution was delivered by a partner who understood both the operational environment and the long-term needs of the business.

Why SunPower in a demanding industrial environment

IEC selected SunPower Shingled technology based on several key factors:

• High efficiency in industrial environments

• Long-term reliability and durability

• Low degradation rates

• Advanced safety performance

One critical factor made this choice particularly relevant: the presence of airborne flour particles.

“In this type of environment, additional safety considerations are essential. The selected modules offer enhanced fire resistance, providing an extra layer of safety for the installation,” explains José Salas, CEO of IEC Group.

This is not just about performance. It is about operational confidence.

Solving complexity: shading, skylights and intelligent design

The rooftop presented multiple technical challenges:

• Extraction chimneys

• Refrigeration equipment

• A high number of skylights

All of which impacted module layout and performance potential.

The solution was to combine technology with intelligent system design.

According to the installation team, the use of SolarEdge optimizers with MPPT tracking at module-pair level allows each section of the system to operate independently, minimizing the impact of partial shading.

“The integration of SolarEdge turned a structural limitation into an optimization opportunity,” Salas highlights.

This is where the value of the partner becomes critical: adapting technology to real-world conditions.

Real results: efficiency, savings and stability

After six months of operation, the system is already delivering strong performance:

• 44 MWh generated during lower irradiation months

• Approximately 80% self-consumption rate

• Stable system performance aligned with technical expectations

• Significant reduction in grid dependency

Additionally:

• Estimated annual savings (without renting): €22,625

• Estimated annual savings (with renting): €10,637

• Total savings over 25 years: €265,000+

• CO₂ reduction: 45 tons annually

Even with changes in consumption patterns - including reduced weekend activity - the project remains highly profitable.

No upfront investment: the renting model advantage

One of the key decision factors was the financial model.

The renting structure enabled the company to implement the solar installation without any upfront investment, significantly lowering the barrier to entry.

This approach allows companies to:

• Avoid CAPEX

• Generate savings from day one

• Integrate energy costs into operational expenses

For many industrial businesses, this is what turns solar energy from a consideration into a viable decision.

A real case that sets the standard

This project is not an isolated case. It is a signal.

Energy is no longer just a cost - it is a strategic decision.

“This project represents a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement,” says Medina.

And it opens the door to what comes next:

“Who knows - we may work together again on our second facility.”

What this project proves

✓ Industrial facilities can achieve high levels of self-consumption

✓ Solar energy can be integrated without disrupting operations

✓ The combination of technology and trusted partners is key to success

✓ Zero-investment models remove adoption barriers

✓ Sustainability and profitability are no longer competing priorities - they align

Conclusion: energy under control

Juanito Baker's case demonstrates a clear reality: when the right technology is combined with intelligent design and the expertise of a trusted partner, energy stops being a constraint and becomes a competitive advantage.

In this context, SunPower - together with its Partner Network - enables companies to transition towards more efficient, reliable and sustainable energy models, with both technological and operational assurance.

Ready to follow Juanito Baker’s example?

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