Microgrid

Also on the rise: Enphase starts shipping IQ8 inverter. Michigan gets two new solar projects bringing 50 MW to the state. Meyer Burger to bring solar module manufacturing and jobs to Arizona. A bill aims to re-establish Washington’s former highly effective solar incentive program. Watch the solar array deploy on NASA’s James Webb telescope.

The IQ8 is said to be the most powerful PV microinverter developed by Enphase Energy and is capable of forming a microgrid during a power outage. 

Contributions support the Footprint Project, a nonprofit organization that is deploying solar trailers, palletized microgrids, solar generators and portable power stations to the tornado-ravaged area.

Also on the rise: Enel project joins portfolio of energy + storage installations in Texas. ESS microgrid to provide critical backup to fire-prone region of California. AES acquires Community Energy Solar, bringing U.S. pipeline to more than 40 GW.

Sage Energy Consulting will be assisting Anaheim Transportation Network on a comprehensive multi-stage plan to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, save on their electric costs and intelligently charge their new electric buses.

Interest in microgrids has been growing as the country and the world confront more frequent, extreme weather events and an increased urgency to consider alternative energy sources. Microgrids aren’t a new concept, but they’re fast gaining traction for a variety of organizations to address modern-day energy challenges.

Emergent Solar Energy completed a solar microgrid system for a crop production facility in Indiana, which will offset nearly 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide in its lifetime.

mPrest CEO Andy Bennett joined pv magazine to talk about the future of DERs and the role that distributed energy resource management systems are likely to play.

Also on the rise: Costs for all types of solar PV continue to fall, NREL says; and financing is lined up for a solar project near Denver.

The IQ8 solar microinverters are capable of forming a microgrid during a power outage using only sunlight, providing backup power without a battery. The systems also allow any size Enphase battery to be paired with a solar system.