Sharp Electronics and CivicSolar are teaming up to prove they can knock thousands of dollars off Californian businesses’ energy bills.
US solar equipment distributor CivicSolar is now offering Sharp’s SmartStorage energy storage system through its network of solar PV installers.
The companies’ first project is at Channel Lumber, one of the largest lumber companies in the Bay Area. The project features a 120kW/160kWh SmartStorage system (pictured) plus a 313.5kW solar system, installed and integrated by California-based Forecast Energy.
The project is likely to be the first of many for the trio. “We anticipate teaming with both CivicSolar and Forecast Energy on future solar plus SmartStorage projects,” said Carl Mansfield, general manager and founder of Sharp’s US-based Energy Systems and Services Group.
Sharp’s system is designed to pull power from the SmartStorage batteries rather than from the utility at times of highest demand (which are the most expensive rates) and is particularly suited for properties in parts of California where commercial utility customers are paying up to 50% of their energy bills toward demand charges. Channel Lumber paid $172,385 in demand charges alone over a one-year period.
The companies estimate that the solar plus SmartStorage system will bring $160,466 in energy and demand savings annually – an estimated 62% reduction in Channel Lumber’s total bill.