Solar microgrid keeps energy flowing at aquatic testing firm

Solaris Energy helped fund a solar microgrid project that will let environmental research firm Pacific EcoRisk remain operational at all times.

Credit: Solaris Energy

Based in Fairfield, California, Pacific EcoRisk is a consulting and testing firm formed by scientists who have been conducting sampling, testing and researching aquatic biology and toxicology for over 30 years.

“It has been a goal of the company for quite some time and we welcomed the opportunity to lower our operating carbon footprint. Over the long run, we will also be able to keep our annual electricity costs down,” said Jeffrey Cotsifas, president of Pacific EcoRisk.

The nearly 250-kW rooftop microgrid system is expected to produce over 380,000 kWh of clean, renewable energy in year one. The project was financed through a power purchase agreement with Solaris Energy and will save the organization $24,000 in the first year of production.

“We felt that this would be a nice route as we can have the benefits of the system without it being on our balance sheet, reduce our annual energy cost and then purchase after 6 years,” Cotsifas said. “It was a win-win for everyone involved.”

Pacific EcoRisk has an aquatic testing lab that will fail in a power outage, making it an ideal site to incorporate a backup generator microgrid as a component of the system. This increases resilience from potential blackouts and brownouts as well as provides energy independence for the organization.

The project capacity and design were also engineered for the future addition of electric vehicle chargers, which will pair with the company’s plans to purchase an electric vehicle fleet for its operations.

“Our team deeply values the environmental benefits solar can provide. Combining that with all the financial opportunities Power Purchase Agreements can offer Jeff’s and other businesses is what drives our work every day,” said Nick Perugini, VP of partners and projects and co-owner at Solaris Energy.

News item from Solaris Energy

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/07/solar-microgrid-keeps-energy-flowing-at-aquatic-testing-firm/