Off grid, grid tied and battery backup electrical systems can be designed to meet any electrical demand. The key to success of these systems is to make sure they are designed and built so that they are robust and reliable and done by people who are not only properly trained, but also experienced. We’ve been in business since 1992. We know how to get the job done.
Copper Mountain Employee Housing 56 kW Grid Tied PV System
Date of installation: 2023
Type of System: Grid-Tied
Ground Mount 56kW 3 phase
Inverters: Enphase IQ7A Microinverters
Each top of pole mounted subarrays has 9 Mission Solar MSE 345-watt modules and produces 3.1KW of power at STC
This 56 kW grid-tied solar installation was designed to efficiently supplement power for two Employee Housing Units while delivering strong long-term financial returns. The system features 18 top-of-pole-mounted subarrays, each built with nine Mission Solar MSE 345-watt modules, producing 3.1 kW per subarray at standard test conditions (STC). Each subarray is equipped with Enphase IQ7A microinverters to maximize performance and module-level monitoring. In total, the array is rated at 56 kW at STC and is projected to generate approximately 84–100 MWh of clean electricity annually. By offsetting utility power at an average rate of $0.15/kWh, the system reduces electrical costs by roughly $13,000 per year, with an estimated payback period of seven years assuming a 5% annual utility rate increase.
The Broken Heart Ranch
Original Date of installation: 2002
Type of System: Off Grid
PV System: Roof mounted, 3 KW
Inverter: 1 Trace SW5548, 5500 watts AC power
Storage: 1050 amp-hrs, 48 Vdc, lead acid cells
Fossil Fuel Generator: Kohler 14 KW
Location: 8,500 ft Elevation in the Central Rockies of Colorado
With Utility connection cost of $75K, looking into an off grid Renewable Energy (RE) system made sense for the clients. This 4000 square foot house was built to be a primary residence for our clients. They wanted this house to have modern conveniences and were interested in learning more about RE systems and energy conservation. With kids off to college and the ability to work at home one of the clients really liked the idea of living off grid, however their partner was a little apprehensive at first.
The clients lived in an off-grid situation for 11 years in comfort and style. There were some problems, mostly due to fossil fuel generator. The PV system may have been undersized at 4 KW and most problems would have been solved with a larger PV system or the addition of a wind turbine. They had a windy site. However, at that time PV panels were expensive and now financial incentives existed that would have helped keep the system price down. Economically speaking, running a fossil fuel generator 5 – 10 hrs a week made sense. Today, because appliances are more efficient and PV costs are low, we tend to over design our RE systems so reliance on a fossil fuel backup is reduced. One of many lessons learned.
After 11 years the utility connection cost dropped to less than the cost of buying a new battery bank. Cindy and Drew connected to the utility, changed their system to a grid tied system and kept their generator for emergency backup. Innovative Energy traded their equipment straight up, from off grid to grid tied, and charged to rewire the solar panels and get the inspections and authorizations to enter into a net metering agreement with the utility company.
Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.
—Former Customer