A Guide to Going Solar For Businesses

SHAIVI CHAPALGAONKAR | March 17, 2021 | 613 views

Earth has become increasingly warmer every year with rising temperatures. The burning of fossil fuels in the past 150 years for electricity, heat, transportation, and any other human activity has increased greenhouse emissions. Other natural resources are also rapidly depleting, thus giving us a cause of worry.

Several homeowners and mainly businesses are, therefore, turning to renewable energy sources to become self-sustainable and self-reliant. Costs of commercial electricity are rising day by day with no end in sight. By turning to green energy, businesses can reduce operational costs and reinvest that amount back into their businesses.

If your business uses electricity for lighting, HAVC, computing, or production, opting solar for businesses will significantly reduce the cost. Installing these solar panels and combining them with an appropriate energy storage system, your business can save up to 20 to 25% energy and move towards energy independence.

Eligibility for Going Solar

One of the major factors to consider when going solar is whether it makes sense for your business to do so. Apart from this, going solar would be ideal for organizations that:
  • Work in states like California, Hawaii, or any state that either has expensive energy or massive Federal incentives
  • Have enough land, rooftops, or parking lots adjoining their businesses where the solar panels can Be set up
  • Have prioritized sustainability
  • Have massive energy demands
  • Market themselves as an environmentally friendly business


Reasons to Use Solar Power for Businesses

Growing businesses opt for investing in commercial solar power mainly to aid in offsetting additional expenses. With the expansion of the business, electricity consumption will also increase. You can also time your roof repairs or new constructions to coincide with installing new solar panels. Transforming into a business that chooses to become carbon-neutral by utilizing solar energy will enhance your business image in the community.

Implementing commercial solar panels cuts down your energy consumption and helps increase your savings. Excess energy generated by these solar panels can be stored with the help of off-grid batteries. Solar energy has a major drawback. Your company won't be powered at night or in severe weather conditions as solar only works during the day. Solar energy cannot handle the sudden power surges required to handle heavy machinery. Businesses are then forced to purchase and use commercial electricity to manage these spikes. However, these spikes can prove to be expensive. Merging photovoltaic systems with storage solutions can ease these spikes. This is vital during the "shoulder" hours when the sudden surge spikes can lead to demand charges.

Benefits of Going Solar

Reduction in Costs

The single biggest advantage of going solar is a massive reduction in electricity bills. Locations where 'net metering' is available can become another source of revenue for your business as the excess power produced can be sold to your local utility. Businesses, and companies that rely on out of date energy sources like coal, could be paying 7 to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), whereas those using solar energy were paying between 2 to 12 cents per kWh.

The benefits of switching to solar depend on several factors- locations, industry, and business size. The most advantageous enterprises would be the ones who have built an appropriately sized system to cover all energy requirements and enough power to fall back on during peak consumption hours.

Businesses can incur additional charges due to demand and delivery. Utility services apply these charges to recover costs of purchasing energy and maintaining power lines and energy lost in the transmission system. Moving power sources closer to your business will help you avoidsuch preventable expenses.

There are possibilities of ascension in solar energy projects. You can start with a smaller set of solar panels that would contribute to your daily energy needs and build it over time. You can always sell the excess energy produced to your local utility provider as a source of additional revenue.


Federal Tax Incentives

As of 2021, the investment tax credit (ITC) allows businesses to deduct 22 percent of the cost of installing solar energy systems from their federal tax with no cap on its value. These businesses are eligible for the tax incentive as long as they have their energy system. I'f youdon't have enough tax liability to claim the credit that year, the outstanding credits would roll over to the next year, so long the tax credit is in effect.


Durability

Like every other power source, solar has its limitations too. The infrastructure that can consume excess solar power is not yet up to the mark. Since solar is tied to the grid, they are interdependent. If the grid fails, solar goes down too. Therefore, it is important to add a microgrid to the energy system.

Adding a micro-grid detaches your business from the utility providers and makes it independent of their services. It makes your organization what is known as an 'energy island'. The existence of these energy islands only protects your enterprise from power cuts due to natural disasters or any physical or hacking attacks. Your energy islands may also provide electricity to your local community during emergencies.


Sustainability 

Solar energy has a massive role to play in the future of sustainability and environmental protection. By converting your business into a solar-powered business, you ensure the protection of the environment and reduce your company's carbon footprint on the planet. Studies also indicate that using solar energy for a long time also reduces utility costs. You can then invest the saved amount back into your business to promote advancements and innovations.

Being a solar-powered business could be an alluring prospect for your potential business partners. Environment-inclined customers tend to turn to prefer "responsibly green" businesses, and these businesses also appease local and state regulators, governments, and hedge funds.


Lower Maintenance Cost

Another major reason solar power is beneficial for your business is low to zero maintenance of the installed solar panels. Agencies that provide solar panels offer a warranty of 20 to 25 years on them. Since solar panels have fewer movable parts, the chances of these parts disintegrating or rusting are highly unlikely as opposed to technology that relies on movable parts. Thus, switching to solar energy would be the appropriate step to take for your business.


Things to Keep in Mind when Switching to Solar

When investing in solar energy, there are a few imperatives that businesses must follow. No matter the size, your business must be located where there is adequate sunlight, a roof strong enough to sustain the panels, and be inclined to reduce the cost of all operations.

There are various simple 'do-it-'yourself' kits launched in the market to entice small business owners to try and build these solar systems themselves.

However, it is essential to work with a solar provider when installing solar panels to get the best outcome—as in any industrial field, consulting with a solar power expert would help you optimize costs and gain maximum benefits.


Points to Explore Before Going Solar

Amount of Electricity Consumed

There are two main points to ponder over; "enough for one day" and "future years to come”. You could either sell excess energy produced to your local electricity supplier, which would add to your savings, or it could be stored with the help of li-ion batteries and utilized in the time of little to no sunshine.


Financing Solar Power for Businesses

Commercial solar power providers offer multiple business plans that would be best suited to the scale of your business. You can choose the better alternative for your business depending on how much discretionary cash you have and your solar infrastructure size. The size of the infrastructure will also depend on whether you want to gain dramatic results in terms of cost-saving or opt for low-cost start-ups and gain a more extended return on investment.

Some enterprises buy solar equipment with cash or loans. This method would give you tax credits and incentives, thus offering you a higher return on investment (ROI).

Another direction you could choose is going into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a solar energy provider and purchasing electricity from them at a lesser commercial cost. In a PPA, the developer looks after designing, permissions, financing, and installing the system for a meager amount.

Details of your precise business requirements are vital to analyze the cost and time of ROI of the solar energy system. It would depend on the place you are at and the size of your system. To get these exact details, hire the best solar energy consultant for your exact needs.


Important Steps to Remember

Step 1:

Outline your goals for a stable, sustainable, and financially sound future. Make sure that going solar is beneficial for your business. Calculate whether your region's utility costs are higher and hurt your business financially; whether there is ample storage space around your business to keep all the equipment. And whether adopting a  green  profile improves your goodwill in your local community.

Step 2:

Collect data on your electricity usage of at least one year to analyze the operating cost, energy spikes, and consumption patterns. Calculating business losses will aid in understanding the need to switch to solar energy.

Step 3:

Tie up with a commercial solar specialist when making the switch to solar energy. Often, customers fail to recognize the importance of this step. Avoid contractors who set up solar panels as a side business as they would not understand the intricacies of the job. Check all the references before you partner up with a specialist.

Step 4:

Last thing to keep in mind is thatgetting a solutions provider would make things easier for you. The provider will take care of everything- designing the system, finances, grid connection, and system maintenance. Ensure that you have a provider with sound support and has a portfolio of proven experience in solar infrastructure per your business needs.


Frequently Asked Questions

How much does solar cost?

Ten years ago, the cost of a residential solar system was upwards of $50,000 for an average of 6 kilowatt-hour. Now, with a 62% average annual decrease, it ranges anywhere between $16,200 to $21,000.

How does commercial solar work?

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) panels in a grid-like pattern that captures sunlight and converts it into electricity. The PV cells are made up of silicon with a positive and negative field that creates an electric field.

Are commercial solar panels worth it?

Commercial solar panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years. Although solar panels cost a lot initially, over the years, utility cost of your business will go down. There are also tax credits and incentives that the government offers when installing solar panels.

Spotlight

DOF Subsea

DOF Subsea AS provides integrated project managed and engineered subsea solutions to the offshore oil and gas industry. Our core business is the execution of complex subsea operations, to depths of 3000 metres, using owned and operated world-class, purpose-built vessels.

OTHER ARTICLES
SOLAR+STORAGE

A vision for renewable energy

Article | April 29, 2021

Right now, renewable energy makes up a very small part of the entire energy sector of Bangladesh. But as we move into the future, and concerns about the environment become too great to ignore, exploring cleaner and greener sources of energy becomes the need of the hour. Our economy is booming, and our population is growing, so it goes without saying that our energy requirements are immense. There is plenty of scientific evidence that burning fossil fuels indiscriminately is not sustainable in the long term, so we do need to up our game in looking at alternatives.

Read More
SOLAR+STORAGE

2020: The Year of Convergence in Corporate Renewables

Article | December 17, 2021

The rapid growth of corporate renewable procurement has been nothing short of a buyer-driven revolution in the United States’ electric sector. Almost 20 gigawatts (GWs) of corporate power purchasing agreements (PPAs) were completed in 2019 across the globe, up from 13 GWs of corporate PPAs in 2018 and triple the numbers from 2017.1,2 And the majority of this growth has come from the United States. Fortunately for those of us committed to renewable energy, we expect this trend to continue. But as should be expected in such a dynamic, buyer-driven sector, we are starting to see some noticeable shifts in the marketplace as it evolves and grows. I wanted to highlight some of the trends Constellation is watching for this year.

Read More
SOLAR+STORAGE

2020 Trends That Will Make Waves In The Energy Industry

Article | May 27, 2021

In the renewable world, energy is generated by weather and the amount of energy that can be produced depends on the current conditions. Energy storage can ensure a power supply is maintained when weather conditions are not optimal for generating energy. While energy storage products have already been introduced to all levels of the market there are several technology hurdles to overcome before energy storage will reach maximum potential. We believe there will be great advancements in 2020 on:

Read More

Solar Power, Great For The Environment? Or Is It The Last Thing We Need?

Article | February 10, 2020

Solar power is an undeniably a green, renewable form of electricity generation - but many organisations with questionable motives (even here in New Zealand) are trying to persuade the public (and Government – hi lobbyists!) that solar power isn’t that environmentally friendly, and that it's even harmful. At the expense of bullish corporate profits, solar power is often thrown under the bus. This article lists the facts - putting an end to the negative spin on solar so often found in the media. When solar panels produce power, they do not; create any air pollution, use zero water, create carbon emissions, noise pollution, and they won’t disturb surrounding ecosystems. Solar power is a renewable energy source, the sun’s rays are infinite, fill your boots.

Read More

Spotlight

DOF Subsea

DOF Subsea AS provides integrated project managed and engineered subsea solutions to the offshore oil and gas industry. Our core business is the execution of complex subsea operations, to depths of 3000 metres, using owned and operated world-class, purpose-built vessels.

Related News

SOLAR+STORAGE

Vanguard Renewables Announces CFE Seafoods Joins the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program

businesswire | May 18, 2023

Vanguard Renewables is proud to announce that CFE Seafoods, located in Auburndale, MA, is the latest New England food and beverage manufacturer to join the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program (FPSH). The program aims to collaborate on eliminating food waste from landfills by recycling it into renewable energy on regional dairy farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. CFE Seafoods joins New England Natural Bakers, Fancypants Baking Co., and Sloop Brewing Co. in a shared mission to redirect food waste, fight climate change, and help to support dairy farmers across the region. “We are thrilled to have CFE Seafoods join our Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes program,” stated Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Renewables. “With a long history of providing grocers and some of the top restaurants around the world with Saltfish, they are committed to the environment and community throughout their business verticals and are a great addition to our Farm Powered movement.” For more than 50 years, CFE Seafoods has met the discriminating needs — and tastes — of some of the top restauranteurs and seafood grocers in the world. From salting cod following the traditional dry-salting technique to grilled salmon on cedar planks, their long seafaring heritage is a part of every seafood product they offer. “As a leader in the salted fish industry we believe in sustainability at every level – from how we source our products to our manufacturing process,” stated Justin McAloon, Director of Operations and Compliance, CFE Seafoods. “Joining the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program is a natural extension of our company’s sustainability goals and we look forward to working with our peers in the food and beverage industry to do our part to help mitigate the climate crisis.” CFE Seafoods credits their employees, the majority of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years, with their success. Each is deeply committed to fulfilling the Company’s mission to provide the industry’s highest quality salted fish products, along with outstanding customer service. The FPSH program, launched in 2022, is a regional chapter of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA) for regional and single-location food and beverage manufacturers throughout New England who are dedicated to repurposing food and beverage waste into renewable energy. It is a pre-competitive collaboration to share best practices to the benefit of the environment. The FPSA was launched in 2020 with Vanguard Renewables, Dairy Farmers of America, Starbucks, and Unilever as founding partners. It has now grown to include more than 15 large food and beverage manufacturers. Vanguard Renewables is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses in the food and beverage industry, regardless of size, can be a part of the Farm Powered movement to mitigate climate change. About Vanguard Renewables Vanguard Renewables, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 150 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered anaerobic digestion. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock Real Assets.

Read More

SOLAR+STORAGE

AVANGRID Strengthens Support for Energy Innovation by Extending Collaboration With Yale

businesswire | May 17, 2023

AVANGRID, a leading sustainable energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, today announced a meaningful contribution to Yale University to support innovative research projects focused on advancing the clean energy transition. This collaboration, which began in 2019, supports research into topics such as solar energy, battery storage, electric vehicles, energy policy, clean energy leadership, market development, corporate net-zero commitments, and others related to accelerating the growth of clean energy. “At AVANGRID, we are convinced that innovation is key to developing the solutions that we need to advance the clean energy transition,” said Pedro Azagra, AVANGRID CEO. “Strong collaborations with academic institutions, like the one we have with Yale, allow different sectors to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborate to build a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.” “I am grateful that AVANGRID and Yale will continue to work together to advance research that addresses the climate crisis,” said Yale University President Peter Salovey. “We will support a range of ongoing sustainability and energy related studies and engage student leaders at Yale who are committed to addressing systemic environmental challenges. Our endeavors stand to accelerate the development and implementation of clean energy solutions.” The collaboration between AVANGRID and Yale has allowed researchers to work on actionable projects with the potential to be implemented. Some of these projects include a data analysis of the company’s customers in Connecticut to study the feasibility of using solar power in AVANGRID’s circuits, the use of blockchain and IoT to track and report climate action commitments, a tailored program on “purpose-driven leadership” for executives at AVANGRID, and a study of network effect benefits from electricity grid connections. Collaborations like this are an example of the company’s constant efforts to build strong relationships with the academic sector that promote research and innovation to allow the development of clean energy projects. About AVANGRID AVANGRID, Incaspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, AVANGRID ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A.

Read More

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Capstone Green Energy Secures Order for C1000S Microturbine for Industrial Dairy Plant in Colombia

businesswire | June 01, 2023

Capstone Green Energy Corporation , a global leader in carbon reduction and on-site resilient green Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions, announced today that Supernova Energy Services SAS, its authorized Distributor in Colombia, has secured an order for a C1000 Signature Series microturbine. The system will be operated at an industrial dairy alongside an Alfa Laval steam boiler evaporator, producing 6,200 lbs. of steam per hour. Alfa Laval AB is a Swedish company founded in 1883, providing specialized heat recovery products, and is a Capstone Green Energy approved Network Partner for heat recovery systems. It is expected to be commissioned in October 2023. “For operations like a dairy where any loss of power can result in product waste, the reliability of a Capstone microturbine makes it a natural choice. This is particularly true in locations where electricity from the grid is relatively unreliable. Confidence in Capstone’s reliability combined with the turbine’s low maintenance requirements and compatibility with other technologies, like the steam boiler being used here, continue to prove the value of Capstone’s modular design and engineering as well as its versatility for use in multiple industries,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Darren Jamison. The Capstone powered energy system will run on high-pressure natural gas (HPNG) to provide power for the dairy’s pasteurization operations. The Alfa Laval boiler will provide steam for the entire plant. Reliability was the top reason the customer selected Capstone, but they indicated that minimal maintenance needs and low emissions were also factors in their decision. The microturbine and steam boiler combination will replace the grid-sourced electricity and a natural gas boiler that the dairy is currently using to run its operations. This is the first dairy that Supernova has worked with in Colombia and the first to use steam rather than absorption chillers in its processes. “Working with a customer who is willing to take a different approach to powering their operations is exciting. Once we knew that reliability was their top priority, the Capstone microturbine was the obvious choice. By combining the Capstone turbine with the Alfa Laval steam boiler, this customer has found an innovative solution that will give them more operational predictability and reduce product waste,” said Nestor Moseres, President of Supernova Energy Services SAS. About Capstone Green Energy Capstone Green Energy is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their environmental, energy savings, and resiliency goals. Capstone Green Energy focuses on four key business lines. Through its Energy as a Service (EaaS) business, it offers rental solutions utilizing its microturbine energy systems and battery storage systems, comprehensive Factory Protection Plan (FPP) service contracts that guarantee life-cycle costs, as well as aftermarket parts. Energy Generation Technologies (EGT) are driven by the Company's industry-leading, highly efficient, low-emission, resilient microturbine energy systems offering scalable solutions in addition to a broad range of customer-tailored solutions, including hybrid energy systems and larger frame industrial turbines. The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) business line designs and installs microgrid storage systems creating customized solutions using a combination of battery technologies and monitoring software. Through Hydrogen & Sustainable Products (H2S), Capstone Green Energy offers customers a variety of hydrogen products, including the Company's microturbine energy systems.

Read More

SOLAR+STORAGE

Vanguard Renewables Announces CFE Seafoods Joins the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program

businesswire | May 18, 2023

Vanguard Renewables is proud to announce that CFE Seafoods, located in Auburndale, MA, is the latest New England food and beverage manufacturer to join the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program (FPSH). The program aims to collaborate on eliminating food waste from landfills by recycling it into renewable energy on regional dairy farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. CFE Seafoods joins New England Natural Bakers, Fancypants Baking Co., and Sloop Brewing Co. in a shared mission to redirect food waste, fight climate change, and help to support dairy farmers across the region. “We are thrilled to have CFE Seafoods join our Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes program,” stated Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Renewables. “With a long history of providing grocers and some of the top restaurants around the world with Saltfish, they are committed to the environment and community throughout their business verticals and are a great addition to our Farm Powered movement.” For more than 50 years, CFE Seafoods has met the discriminating needs — and tastes — of some of the top restauranteurs and seafood grocers in the world. From salting cod following the traditional dry-salting technique to grilled salmon on cedar planks, their long seafaring heritage is a part of every seafood product they offer. “As a leader in the salted fish industry we believe in sustainability at every level – from how we source our products to our manufacturing process,” stated Justin McAloon, Director of Operations and Compliance, CFE Seafoods. “Joining the Farm Powered Sustainability Heroes Program is a natural extension of our company’s sustainability goals and we look forward to working with our peers in the food and beverage industry to do our part to help mitigate the climate crisis.” CFE Seafoods credits their employees, the majority of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years, with their success. Each is deeply committed to fulfilling the Company’s mission to provide the industry’s highest quality salted fish products, along with outstanding customer service. The FPSH program, launched in 2022, is a regional chapter of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA) for regional and single-location food and beverage manufacturers throughout New England who are dedicated to repurposing food and beverage waste into renewable energy. It is a pre-competitive collaboration to share best practices to the benefit of the environment. The FPSA was launched in 2020 with Vanguard Renewables, Dairy Farmers of America, Starbucks, and Unilever as founding partners. It has now grown to include more than 15 large food and beverage manufacturers. Vanguard Renewables is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses in the food and beverage industry, regardless of size, can be a part of the Farm Powered movement to mitigate climate change. About Vanguard Renewables Vanguard Renewables, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 150 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered anaerobic digestion. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock Real Assets.

Read More

SOLAR+STORAGE

AVANGRID Strengthens Support for Energy Innovation by Extending Collaboration With Yale

businesswire | May 17, 2023

AVANGRID, a leading sustainable energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, today announced a meaningful contribution to Yale University to support innovative research projects focused on advancing the clean energy transition. This collaboration, which began in 2019, supports research into topics such as solar energy, battery storage, electric vehicles, energy policy, clean energy leadership, market development, corporate net-zero commitments, and others related to accelerating the growth of clean energy. “At AVANGRID, we are convinced that innovation is key to developing the solutions that we need to advance the clean energy transition,” said Pedro Azagra, AVANGRID CEO. “Strong collaborations with academic institutions, like the one we have with Yale, allow different sectors to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborate to build a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.” “I am grateful that AVANGRID and Yale will continue to work together to advance research that addresses the climate crisis,” said Yale University President Peter Salovey. “We will support a range of ongoing sustainability and energy related studies and engage student leaders at Yale who are committed to addressing systemic environmental challenges. Our endeavors stand to accelerate the development and implementation of clean energy solutions.” The collaboration between AVANGRID and Yale has allowed researchers to work on actionable projects with the potential to be implemented. Some of these projects include a data analysis of the company’s customers in Connecticut to study the feasibility of using solar power in AVANGRID’s circuits, the use of blockchain and IoT to track and report climate action commitments, a tailored program on “purpose-driven leadership” for executives at AVANGRID, and a study of network effect benefits from electricity grid connections. Collaborations like this are an example of the company’s constant efforts to build strong relationships with the academic sector that promote research and innovation to allow the development of clean energy projects. About AVANGRID AVANGRID, Incaspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, AVANGRID ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A.

Read More

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Capstone Green Energy Secures Order for C1000S Microturbine for Industrial Dairy Plant in Colombia

businesswire | June 01, 2023

Capstone Green Energy Corporation , a global leader in carbon reduction and on-site resilient green Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions, announced today that Supernova Energy Services SAS, its authorized Distributor in Colombia, has secured an order for a C1000 Signature Series microturbine. The system will be operated at an industrial dairy alongside an Alfa Laval steam boiler evaporator, producing 6,200 lbs. of steam per hour. Alfa Laval AB is a Swedish company founded in 1883, providing specialized heat recovery products, and is a Capstone Green Energy approved Network Partner for heat recovery systems. It is expected to be commissioned in October 2023. “For operations like a dairy where any loss of power can result in product waste, the reliability of a Capstone microturbine makes it a natural choice. This is particularly true in locations where electricity from the grid is relatively unreliable. Confidence in Capstone’s reliability combined with the turbine’s low maintenance requirements and compatibility with other technologies, like the steam boiler being used here, continue to prove the value of Capstone’s modular design and engineering as well as its versatility for use in multiple industries,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Darren Jamison. The Capstone powered energy system will run on high-pressure natural gas (HPNG) to provide power for the dairy’s pasteurization operations. The Alfa Laval boiler will provide steam for the entire plant. Reliability was the top reason the customer selected Capstone, but they indicated that minimal maintenance needs and low emissions were also factors in their decision. The microturbine and steam boiler combination will replace the grid-sourced electricity and a natural gas boiler that the dairy is currently using to run its operations. This is the first dairy that Supernova has worked with in Colombia and the first to use steam rather than absorption chillers in its processes. “Working with a customer who is willing to take a different approach to powering their operations is exciting. Once we knew that reliability was their top priority, the Capstone microturbine was the obvious choice. By combining the Capstone turbine with the Alfa Laval steam boiler, this customer has found an innovative solution that will give them more operational predictability and reduce product waste,” said Nestor Moseres, President of Supernova Energy Services SAS. About Capstone Green Energy Capstone Green Energy is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their environmental, energy savings, and resiliency goals. Capstone Green Energy focuses on four key business lines. Through its Energy as a Service (EaaS) business, it offers rental solutions utilizing its microturbine energy systems and battery storage systems, comprehensive Factory Protection Plan (FPP) service contracts that guarantee life-cycle costs, as well as aftermarket parts. Energy Generation Technologies (EGT) are driven by the Company's industry-leading, highly efficient, low-emission, resilient microturbine energy systems offering scalable solutions in addition to a broad range of customer-tailored solutions, including hybrid energy systems and larger frame industrial turbines. The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) business line designs and installs microgrid storage systems creating customized solutions using a combination of battery technologies and monitoring software. Through Hydrogen & Sustainable Products (H2S), Capstone Green Energy offers customers a variety of hydrogen products, including the Company's microturbine energy systems.

Read More

Events