By Ellen Miller-Goins
Sangre de Cristo Chronicle

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative officials and partners at Guzman Energy celebrated the launch of the latest solar array July 25 near Eagle Nest Lake.

The 4,000-panel solar array is the latest project completed as part of KCEC’s goal of providing 100 percent of its customers’ daytime power needs from the sun by 2022.

In February 2017, Guzman Energy announced an exclusive partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative to generate renewable energy for KCEC customers in Taos, Colfax and Río Arriba counties with the goal of saving the co-op’s 30,000 members $50 million to $70 million over the next 10 years.

In April this year, the cooperative announced it had been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to participate in a collaborative research effort to explore new ways solar energy can improve the affordability, reliability and resiliency of the rural electric grid.

More than 900 electric cooperatives operate in the United States, covering approximately two-thirds of the land mass with more than 42 million electric meters, many of which are evaluating the opportunities and value of deploying renewable energy for their members. KCEC is one of only nine teams selected to join the program, which is known as the Solar Energy Innovation Network.

“KCEC has been working towards providing resilient, renewable energy for all our members equally since 2002,” said Luis A. Reyes, CEO, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc. “The importance of this work is to demonstrate that renewable energy can be technically integrated into a rural grid in a way that allows all members access to renewable energy, rather than only a few members. This project will provide a pathway for other rural cooperatives, municipalities and communities to enter into the deployment of distributed energy resources given the fast pace of the changing market and member desires.”

The Solar Energy Innovation Network will provide financial, analytical and facilitation support as KCEC works to anticipate and address new challenges and opportunities stemming from solar energy and other distributed energy technologies for the Enchanted Circle in Northern New Mexico.

The solutions developed and demonstrated by KCEC will serve as a blueprint for other communities facing similar challenges and opportunities.

The goal is to demonstrate that solar and battery storage can play a significant role in the energy mix, thereby minimizing reliance on fossil fuels. The intent is to build a broader model that enables rural electric cooperatives to integrate renewable energy with storage into their portfolios for increased resiliency.

Specifically, KCEC’s project will create an energy road map to develop up to 35 megawatts in small solar arrays by 2022 that will result in providing 34 percent of the total electricity demand and 100 percent during daylight hours on sunny days. KCEC will also implement a battery technology demonstration project, thus further advancing the network’s objectives.

KCEC currently has approximately nine megawatts of solar renewables online, which accounts for 24 percent of the daytime load, according to the company. An additional 10 megawatts of solar energy are planned and scheduled for construction in 2018.

These solar arrays–ranging between one and three megawatts–will be placed in various locations around the county, allowing for maximum efficiency and flexibility in providing power to customers, according to Reyes.

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If you’ve gone solar, you’ve likely substantially decreased (or possibly eliminated) your electricity bill already. But, that may not always be the case; your solar panel system may have been undersized to begin with, or you may have increased your electricity usage since installation because of additions to your house, new appliances, or an electric vehicle (EV) purchase.

The process for adding additional panels onto your system isn’t going to be the same as when you were originally shopping for a solar panel system. As you’re investigating your options, here are just a few key factors to keep in mind.

Energy needs

How many additional panels do you need? This is going to be the first question to address, as it will affect both your system design and cost for the add-on project.

The number of panels you need to add onto your system will depend on a number of factors, including your electricity bill post-solar, where you’re located, the equipment, and your system design. If you have your electric bill information since going solar and can provide it to your installer, they should be able to determine how many additional panels you will need given your unique situation. If you’d like to start with a quick way to calculate it on your own, check out our guide to calculating how many solar panels you need.

Space

Do you have enough space to install additional solar panels? If you have a rooftop system with constrained space, the answer may be no. Ground mount systems can be a bit easier to add onto because property owners with ground mounts typically have a lot of sunny land available for install.

That being said, if you’ve run out of roof space to install additional panels, that doesn’t mean you should give up. You can always investigate installing supplemental arrays on other structures, such as carports, sheds, or gazebos.

Solar panel upgrade and compatibility

What’re the panels in your original installation, and does any component require an upgrade? Your solar panels will continue to generate electricity for 25 to 30 years, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to replace the panels of the original system.

That being said, it’s a good idea to install the same panels as your original array if possible so that it matches aesthetically and has the same outputs and efficiencies to your other panels. If you’re unable to install the exact same panels, you should still look to install new panels with the same or similar power output.

Inverter replacement

Is your inverter large enough for the additional panels? Depending on how much more capacity you add onto your system, you may need to replace your inverter. When an installer originally sizes your central inverter, it’s based on the power output of your panels. Because the direct current (DC) electricity being produced by your panels is being converted to alternating current (AC) at the inverter, the power rating of that inverter can be a bit smaller than the panels because of the energy loss that occurs during the conversion process. If you’re adding quite a few panels and your entire solar panel system is much larger than the original size, it may generate more electricity than the inverter can handle.

Add-on projects are a bit easier if your original solar panel system uses microinverters as opposed to a power optimizer or string inverter system. Because microinverters are located at each individual panel, you don’t have to worry about inverter capacity issues and can just install additional microinverters with the new panels.

Installer to add on the panels

Does your original installer do add-on projects? If so, it’s going to be the easiest to contact them first to see if they can do the work. They will already be familiar with your system and property and will be best equipped to add more panels onto their own handiwork.

That being said, this may not be an option for you if you had a bad experience with your original installer, or if they’ve since gone out of business. You can always shop around for a new installer to do the work when it comes adding more panels onto your solar array but may have a harder time finding a solar company to do the work. Some installation companies that will avoid doing add-on projects for installations that aren’t their own. This happens for two major reasons: they don’t want to deal with conflicting warranties on the overall installation, or the size of the project isn’t large enough. A lot of installation companies won’t want to encounter disputes down the line about whose job it is to fix a part of the system, especially because the original work is not their own and they can’t stand by it.

With regards to system size, many installers have a minimum system size they will install for their own profit margins. A typical add-on project may be installing only a few panels, which will mean much less profit than they would see on a standard residential installation. Depending on their resources and installation calendar, many companies will choose to focus their efforts on larger projects.

Permitting and interconnection

Will installing additional panels on your property require pulling additional permits, or submitting additional interconnection documentation to your utility company? This can depend on a number of factors, including how many additional panels you’re adding, whether a new inverter is required, and your local area’s permitting requirements. If you are adding more than a couple kilowatts (kW) to a system and have to replace your inverter, it’s more likely that you’ll have to submit another interconnection application with your utility company.

Any installer you’re working with for an add-on project should be aware of any permits or interconnection requirements and will help file for these as well as part of the overall cost of the add-on project.

Incentives

If you’re adding additional panels onto your system, you may not be eligible for some of the same incentives (such as tax credits and rebates) that you claimed when you originally installed your system. Many incentives are only allowed to be claimed once per property, or once per person.

Performance-based-incentives (PBIs) can be a bit complicated when it comes to add-on projects. Because the incentive amounts are based on how much electricity your system is generating, you may run into some complications if you have a new inverter and have to re-file for interconnection.

Always have a conversation with your solar installer about what incentives you will and will not be eligible for when it comes to your add-on solar project, and talk to a tax advisor or accountant when it comes to questions regarding tax credits you may be eligible for.

Add on solar panels using EnergySage

With any solar project, big or small, it’s good to shop around. By signing up on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, you can receive multiple quotes to compare costs for solar. If you’re looking to add panels onto your existing system, note it in your account, along with information about your existing system (equipment, system size) so that installers can provide you with the most accurate quote possible.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust announced new funding to The Solar Foundation and Direct Relief to ensure continuous access to healthcare for communities in Puerto Rico devastated by Hurricane Maria.

Since the hurricane, Puerto Rico’s electrical grid has faced a power crisis, significantly affecting critical healthcare centers and hospitals. Remote areas are hardest hit by unreliable power, including unexpected outages. Two new Helmsley grants will help healthcare centers in these underserved communities continue to provide essential health services during outages, as well as prepare for future disasters.

“Months after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico’s lack of power has meant a lack of life-saving medical care. These grants are critical to building health infrastructure that can last,” says Stephanie Cuskley, CEO of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “The Solar Foundation and Direct Relief share Helmsley’s commitment to supporting Puerto Rico’s recovery and resilience to ensure continued access to healthcare for those who need it the most.”

A new grant to The Solar Foundation will support their Solar Saves Lives (SSL) initiative, which has partnered with major humanitarian relief organizations to install solar and battery storage equipment on healthcare centers across the island, bringing reliable, clean power to medical clinics. SSL, in partnership with the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association Network (PRPCAN), has identified several dozen priority health clinics for solarization, and Helmsley support will pay for installation at six of them.

A second grant to Direct Relief will focus on health center infrastructure, supporting repairs and maintenance to temperature-controlled storage to ensure access to life-saving medicines. Where practicable, Direct Relief will connect newly installed refrigeration units with solar power outlets to ensure continued cooling of temperature-sensitive medicines during power outages.

“Solar and battery storage technologies will allow these community health centers to continue providing vital services even when the power grid goes down,” said Andrea Luecke, president and executive director of The Solar Foundation. “This generous grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust supports our work to use solar energy to build a stronger, more resilient Puerto Rico.”

A study published in May by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates the death count after Hurricane Maria at 4,600, mostly due to delayed medical care. This pair of Helmsley grants is intended to address the urgent need for reliable power and cold storage, so that life-saving care and treatment are not hampered by severe weather. Advancing clean energy in Puerto Rico is also an important way of building a more resilient power grid for the future and will reduce electricity bills for the health centers.

“We are deeply thankful for the Helmsley Charitable Trust’s expansive commitment to Puerto Rico,” said Thomas Tighe, CEO of Direct Relief. “Helmsley has a long-standing record of supporting and giving back to communities in need, and it is a privilege for Direct Relief to work with them to extend assistance to people and communities still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Maria.”

“Building a resilient Puerto Rico requires collaboration and cooperation across sectors, especially philanthropy,” said Michael Berkowitz, president of 100 Resilient Cities – Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation. “This is exactly why we supported the recently released ReImagina Puerto Rico strategy—to ensure that there was a north star that all interested parties can work towards. Helmsley’s funding to The Solar Foundation and Direct Relief responds to a key priority in the strategy, and it’s great to have new support for this critical effort.”

News item from The Helmsley Charitable Trust

Kona Brewing Co. in Hawaii has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with EnSync Inc. and its Hawaiian subsidiary, Holu Energy, for a solar-plus-storage system to be installed at Kona’s new brewery in Kailua Kona.

The installation will consist of a 336 kW, roof-mounted solar system and an EnSync DER SuperModule that contains a 122 kWh battery system to capture and store excess solar generation.

The project also includes the Matrix energy management system, which uses DER Flex Internet of Energy technology to interact with the main grid to find and deliver the lowest-cost, most reliable electricity from multiple sources. The resulting solar power is projected to meet one-quarter of the brewery’s electricity needs and will allow the company to produce a peak output of 6,875 cans of sun-powered beer per hour, says EnSync.

“This installation offers Kona Brewing a fully integrated resource to meet its dual goals of using clean energy and reducing energy costs, which in Hawaii are the highest in the nation,” states Ted Peck, president of Holu Energy. “Integrating energy storage with PV will help the brewery reduce expensive peak demand charges, add resiliency and provide grid services, which benefits both the local utility and Kona Brewing.”

Energy storage will also enable Kona Brewing to participate in Hawaiian Electric’s demand response programs, which are designed to incentivize energy efficiency and stabilize the grid.

“Since it formed over 20 years ago, Kona Brewing has been committed to making locally brewed beers in an environmentally responsible way,” adds Julia Person, sustainability manager of Kona Brewing. “By partnering with Holu, we are working with another Hawaiian business to reduce our imported fossil fuel use and create on-site solar energy that helps the state meet its renewable energy goals. This partnership demonstrates how we embrace innovation to maintain our commitment to the ‘Aloha spirit’ and the larger Hawaiian community.”

Construction of the brewery is under way, and installation of the solar-plus-storage system is expected to be complete in early 2019.

In a collaboration, Dunn Energy Cooperative, Water Source Heating and Cooling of Eau Claire, and the School District of the Menomonie Area have successfully completed a project insuring renewable energy for years to come for the district.

Through a grant from the Dunn Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program and the resources of Jesse Green from Water Source Heating and Cooling, the Bjornson Education-Recreation Center — known locally as the Environmental Site — has installed a 3kW photovoltaic array.

This, along with the School District’s participation in the Dunn Energy SunDEC Community Solar array, brings the Environmental Site to a 100 percent renewable status.

“The success of this solar project is a great example of the good that can happen when community partners come together,” said Joe Zydowsky, district administrator for the School District of the Menomonie Area. “We are proud to say that the school district’s environmental site is now 100 percent powered by renewable energy. Not only has this been a wise investment for the School District of the Menomonie Area, but it also has the potential to serve as a good example and learning opportunity for our students and staff.”

The solar panels at the Environmental Site have been up just short of a year and have produced a total of 2.55 Megawatt hours (MWh). The average home on Dunn Energy lines uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month; meaning the small array at the Environmental Site has produced enough energy to power an average home for two and a half months straight.

“We often talk about preserving the future for the next generation; about making choices that make sense, not only for today, but for years to come. We believe the choice the district made will not only benefit their financial position today but will also educate our youth on the importance of sustainability for years to come,” explained Jesse Singerhouse, manager of Administrative and Member Services for Dunn Energy Cooperative. “We’re proud to be a part of partnerships like these.”

Operation Round Up uses the power of cooperation to provide much needed grant dollars for community projects, 501(c)3 organizations and nonprofit groups within the Dunn Energy Cooperative service territory.

Those who are interested in applying for an Operation Round Up grant can find the application and Giving Guidelines at www.dunnenergy.com or by emailing jolene@dunnenergy.com. Grant applications are due March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, and Dec. 31 and reviewed shortly thereafter.