As part of an effort to streamline the implementation of grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) energy systems, Solectria Renewables is providing PV inverters to the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC). In case you didn’t know Grid tied inverters are very important to making solar energy an “invisible” technology for people.
If you have a solar system it produces electricity when the sun is out (duh), what you may not know is that Solar panels produce DC power (like a battery) and most homes in the US use AC power (the kind that comes out the plug). An inverter takes in DC and poops out AC. The grid tied inverters however do a little extra trick. They have sophisticated systems in them that allow you to get power from the grid and from your solar system. The little computers inside know when you need more juice from the grid (at night, during cloudy days) and even knows when to push power back onto the grid (when its really sunny and you are at work and everything at home is turned off).
This means that when its sunny you will use power from the solar system, and when its not you use power from the grid, and when you make more energy than you need your meter spins backwards and you get a check from the utility company at the end of the month. All of this is automagically handled by the grid tied inverter. Fun, right? For more info see here.
In this program, 40 Massachusetts municipal utilities may purchase solar panels, PV inverters, and installation services through one contract with the MMWEC. The program is structured to develop the potential for solar energy in municipal utility communities, which serve approximately 400,000 customers.
“Part of the MMWEC program is intended to help stimulate the growth of renewable energy industries in Massachusetts, and we’re pleased to have Solectria Renewables join us in this initiative,” said MMWEC Chief Executive Officer Ronald C. DeCurzio.
In the first phase of this program, the MMWEC has contracted to purchase up to 500 kilowatts of PV panels from Evergreen Solar along with PV inverters from Solectria Renewables. Project installation services will be provided by Massachusetts businesses.
Each PV system, sized to meet individual project requirements, is estimated to cost approximately $9,000 per kilowatt. This program supports Governor Deval Patrick’s Green Communities Act, encouraging the implementation of PV systems to harness 250 megawatts of power by 2017.
Yet another example of renewable energy creating good high tech jobs right here in my own state. Woo hoo! Because every state gets some form of renewable energy (sun, wind, wave, tidal, biomass), these jobs can’t be outsourced.