Solar Microgrid Construction

What is a solar microgrid?

A solar microgrid is an innovative and increasingly popular energy technology that's giving businesses and communities access to cleaner and more reliable power. A solar microgrid can be used to power one or multiple facilities by generating electricity using solar power.

How can a microgrid ensure continuous electricity?

Two ways to ensure continuous electricity regardless of the weather or an unforeseen event are by using distributed energy resources (DER) and microgrids. DER produce and supply electricity on a small scale and are spread out over a wide area. Rooftop solar panels, backup batteries, and emergency diesel generators are examples of DER.

What is a solar microgrid in Ravenswood?

The microgrid in Ravenswood will consist of solar arrays placed on land that BHE Renewables purchased from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority. The panels will generate solar energy that will power TIMET’s facility to produce titanium products. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SUN DOESN’T SHINE?

Is a solar photovoltaic system a small microgrid?

While pairing a solar photovoltaic system with energy storage to support a single building (behind the utility meter) may be considered a small microgrid by some, for the purposes of this document we use “microgrid” to refer to more complex systems that connect multiple buildings or facilities.

Will the energy grid become a grid of microgrids?

Some energy futurists see the grid eventually becoming a grid of microgrids. For now, the concept of connecting microgrids is still in its infancy. The most notable is a project underway by Commonwealth Edison in the Bronzeville area of Chicago. The project featured here, a community being developed by KB Home, is also worth watching.

Why is Microgrid technology important?

As natural disasters become more common due to climate change, and as more Americans power their lives with solar energy and other distributed energy sources, advanced microgrid technology like this will become an increasingly important tool to ensure reliable electricity.