When installing a battery energy storage system (BESS) in a behind-the-meter project, what is the maximum size allowed in a single fire area? For the vast majority of commercial and industrial (C&I) BESS projects, say 100 kW to 10 MW nameplate power, we’re given rules by local, state, or other authorities having jurisdiction about the […]
When you’re planning a 7,500-seat arena in an area with high electricity rates and a lot of sunshine, it’s a good idea to start thinking about solar panels and storage systems. That’s exactly what the team behind Frontwave Arena did when planning their multipurpose entertainment venue in the City of Oceanside, San Diego County. The […]
Mt. Hood Town Hall is a community gathering place in the Upper Hood River Valley that acts as a recycling center, community meals distribution hub, middle-school classroom, and a venue for special public events. Originally built in 1914 and owned by Hood River County, the facility is a registered Historic Building. In the past it […]
In September 2022, Cleanleaf Energy (formerly Borrego) approached Mayfield Renewables with a repower project at Antelope Valley High School in Southern California. Originally installed in 2011, one of the system’s two 500 kW central inverters failed, cutting production in half. The array wasn’t making money with 15+ years remaining on the power purchase agreement (PPA). […]
More PV plants are operational today than at any time in history. Although asset owners view PV systems as “30-year assets,” the system’s components will age at different rates. PV modules, solid-state devices free of moving parts, should last decades in the field. Inverters, on the other hand, are likely to fail much faster. When […]
Proper wire sizing is fundamental when designing and installing a PV system. The National Electrical Code (NEC) stipulates guidelines on wire sizing that, if complied with, can help keep your projects operating more safely and efficiently. The entire journey for proper wire sizing and coordination with even a basic NEC-compliant solar PV design is a […]
The term voltage drop refers to the reduction of voltage between components in a circuit. Voltage drop is used to determine conductor size and length, as well as the spacing between circuit components. Generally speaking, we want to minimize voltage drop losses to maximize total energy harvest from the PV array. Experienced PV engineers have […]
There may be numerous reasons for including a transformer in a design set. Maybe you are simply stepping PV voltage down to service voltage in a behind-the-meter context. Maybe your utility, inverter manufacturer, or authority having jurisdiction needs a specific type of grounding winding pair. As the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with […]
Imagine, for a moment, what the grid of the not-too-distant future looks like. Should current trends continue, you’ll likely notice more electric vehicles gliding silently through the streets. You may see more buildings in your neighborhood topped with a solar array, many of them backed up with energy storage. Want hot water or cool air? […]
Microgrids are a way to maximize the use of clean, renewable energy, both to reduce electricity bills and ultimately drive decarbonization and electrification goals. Since energy consumption can be one of the biggest operational costs for many commercial-scale properties, the ability to reduce, predict, and control monthly expenditures is a welcome scenario. Microgrids also provide […]
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