Power to the People: SolarEdge Overcomes Uneven Terrain to Help 700+ Go Solar
At a Glance
- 12-acre site in Foster, Rhode Island
- 5,832 365 W monofacial modules
- 9,968 400 W bifacial modules
- SolarEdge P730 and P850 Power Optimizers
- SolarEdge 66.6K, 100K and 20K inverters
- 7,943,636 kilowatt-hours (KWh) of annual
- solar production, including 4,384,800 KWh of community solar
- CO2 emissions savings equivalent to 3,434,592 pounds of coal burned
- $26,055.88 savings passed on to subscribers over six months
The Challenge
Getting Even with an Undulating Landscape
Solar energy development and financing company, Sunlight General Capital, identified a 12-acre rural site in Foster, Rhode Island for installation of a 15,800-module solar ground-mount array.
Working with Arcadia Power, Inc., the project satisfies two demands: (1) deliver on the RE-Growth initiative to help the state meet its renewable energy quotas, and (2) provide a strong community solar initiative- through this implementation, locals can get 10% off on their electricity bills, a significant benefit in a time of global energy insecurity and price rises.
The Solution
Staying Flexible with SolarEdge Power Optimizers
The economic viability of community solar initiatives is dependent on the yield of the installation and the ongoing operation and management (O&M) costs. Sunlight General specified SolarEdge technology to provide the greatest flexibility in module choice and positioning, and industry-leading monitoring to lower O&M.
SolarEdge Power Optimizers attach directly to solar modules and enable independent operation - the underperformance of one module, due to shading, for example, will not impact the others on the same string, ensuring maximized energy production.
Plus, unlike traditional string systems, the SolarEdge array can be placed at any pitch or orientation - including on uneven or undulating ground - increasing the number of modules that can be used and the amount of energy produced.
Through its Power Optimizers, users can track each solar module. Should one underperform, the Sunlight General Capital team will automatically be alerted to the unit at fault - enabling efficient issue resolution, a reduction in maintenance costs, and minimum energy loss.
James Pochez
Customer Benefits
A Healthier, More Affordable Community
In the first nine months of operation, the Rhode Island project generated 5.81 GWh of solar energy, of which 3.35 GWh was made available to local residents and business through the community solar initiative. Subscribers received a total reduction in their energy costs-equivalent to $74 per consumer on an average. However, as the cost of grid electricity continues to increase, future savings are likely to be far higher. The project has also reduced CO2 emissions by 3425 tons, equivalent to 3,438,090 pounds of coal burned.
Bottom Line
Cover More Ground with SolarEdge
The success of community solar is often dependent on developers being able to work with even the most difficult landscapes. Enter SolarEdge, which helps unlock clean energy for an ever-increasing proportion of the population through substantial design flexibility. By maximizing energy production and reducing the ongoing O&M costs investors, installers and energy providers are all incentivized to capitalize on the vast opportunities to increase renewable energy production.
Environmental Savings
This PV system produces energy equivalent to
