Solar Photovoltaic Power and Battery Storage Power

Project Experience
West Clemson LLC 

• Economic feasibility study for a 1.4 MW solar power farm with 4 MWH of Battery Power.  UTEC used 3D solar system design software to design the most cost effective solar farm in regard to the site topography and available PV array modules and string inverters.  PV Watts software was used to verify annual energy production.  UTEC performed a detailed financial feasibility study which considered peak shaving rate agreements, yearly power production totals, equipment and installation costs, and maintenance and operation costs.  A report was provided with the study.

NC Zoological Park- Solar Pavilions

• Design and commissioning of AC service equipment, transformers, inverter systems and 12.47 kV utility interconnections associated with a 100 kW photovoltaic system. PV modules were installed on rooftops of three picnic pavilions. The system operates in parallel with the local utility.

NC Zoological Park- Standby Battery Storage

• Engineering study to install a battery energy storage system to provided standby power for electric hydraulic pumps located in the zoo facilities.  Bi-directional inverters systems and industrial UPS systems were considered.  The study analyzed equipment load ratings, battery and charging technology, motor starting capability, environmental constraints, equipment life expectancy, and operational and maintenance costs.
• A report was provided to the Zoo which proposed three different systems for consideration. 

 
City of Seneca, SC

• Preliminary design and feasibility study for a proposed 1 MW Solar PV System for rooftop installation at a City-owned Industrial Complex. UTEC created the conceptual layout, preliminary design specifications and cost opinions for modules, inverters, transformers and 12.47 kV utility interconnections.  Energy analyses were performed by UTEC.  The proposed system was designed to provide parallel operation for demand offset as well as to serve specific standby loads within the complex.

 
Lockhart Power

• A distributed energy interconnection study was conducted to determine the feasibility of initially connecting 10 MW of solar DER connected to the Lockhart System.  The study was updated to 13 MW in the final design.  UTEC updated the existing Lockhart CYME model to include the solar facility. UTEC reviewed penetration ratios for connection of the solar facility to both the normal and alternate delivery points.  These ratios provide preliminary insight regarding whether the DER may cause problems on the system.  Load flow analyses were performed to check for acceptable voltages and equipment loading under a variety of scenarios – with and without solar generation, connected to the normal and alternate delivery point feeds, with minimum and maximum loads.  UTEC reviewed the protective device coordination of the Lockhart system with the solar contribution included; reviewed the impact of unintentional islanding on the Lockhart system; and reviewed the impact that flicker may have on the Lockhart system with the addition of the solar facility.