A new solar installation at a Fresno water treatment plant is exceeding its expected output by 101% and paving the way for better large-scale solar installations. The installation showed how a simpler design can make clean energy cheaper and more practical for public infrastructure.
Here's what to know
The array places solar panels directly on the ground, eliminating the logistical and financial headache of relying on rows of steel racking.
ForeFront Power brought the Fresno project into commercial service at the city's Northeast Surface Water Treatment Plant in late March. Since entering commercial operation, the system has generated 862 megawatt-hours for Fresno and has operated at 101% of expected output.
Rather than using the steel support structures common in traditional ground-mounted solar, the project uses Erthos' Earth Mount Solar technology to place photovoltaic modules right on the ground. That approach reduced the need for steel and lowered installation and site-work costs.
Because the design can accommodate slopes of up to 15%, the site did not need to be significantly reshaped.
That cost-reduction tactic helped the project move forward even as labor and material prices remained high. Under a fixed-price 20-year power purchase agreement, the company will supply electricity to Fresno at rates that may undercut utility prices.
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More background
This Fresno array is one part of a wider clean energy program across three municipal water sites. Altogether, those locations account for 27 megawatts of DC solar and include battery storage.
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ForeFront Power says the three-project portfolio could cut electricity costs by over $122 million for local ratepayers by 2045. That level of savings can help stabilize budgets, reduce pressure on public spending, and cut pollution tied to conventional electricity generation.
Erthos says the setup increases the amount of generating capacity that fits on each acre by removing the usual spacing between rows of modules. That allows the project to increase energy density without expanding its footprint.
According to ForeFront Power senior project manager Erinne Davis, the site was a strong match for this approach because avoiding expensive construction work reduced the chance of delays or the project being put at risk.
Additional Cost Saving Measures?
The Fresno solar array also uses automated cleaning technology to maintain high production. Erthos' ErthBot, an autonomous machine equipped with a dry nylon brush, cleans the panels at night and then returns to its charging dock during the day. Each unit can cover over 3.5 megawatts of solar capacity, reducing repetitive manual labor at large sites.
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Lower maintenance costs can help keep solar electricity affordable over time for cities, companies, and other large energy users. Erthos will continue to operate and maintain the array under an energy services agreement while the companies track performance.
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Adding battery storage to a solar setup is also one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save on energy costs, and go off-grid. If you'd like to learn more, explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
At Fresno's water treatment plant, the ground-level solar design has lower construction costs and easier maintenance. On top of that, it is producing 101% of its expected output.
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