By Patrick Soukup, Manager of Member Services and Marketing
Research Before Committing to Wind and Solar Projects
Interest in wind and solar energy is on the rise. If you’ve driven by Central Electric’s Betts Road office, you may have noticed the solar panels on the south end of the property. Installed in 2015, the system consists of 36 panels and was projected to produce 1,400 kilowatt-hours of energy per month. It has actually produced about 1,260 kilowatt-hours per month. Learn more by visiting our website at www.centralec.coop/solar-energy.
As cooperative members explore the potential of renewable energy, it’s critical to understand the challenges you may encounter. In most cases, South Dakotans will need to maintain electric service, even with a robust solar system, to ensure they have power when they need it.
Let’s take a deeper dive. Here are some things cooperative members should consider before they decide to purchase and install a renewable energy system.
Review Energy Usage
Call us and check the SmartHub app to review your past energy usage. Pay close attention to how your energy use fluctuates throughout the day. Having that information will help you determine the size and type of system you may need. Call Central Electric for assistance with analyzing historical energy usage data.
Follow All Safety Precautions
Most wind and solar systems are grid-connected. Because of the two-way flow of electricity, the excess energy your system collects during the daytime flows into your cooperative’s lines. Improper connection and maintenance of your system may endanger people and grid reliability. Central Electric requires a signed interconnection agreement, certain equipment specifications, a wiring permit and proof of liability insurance.
Understand System Requirements
Most wind and solar systems are designed to provide a portion of the electricity you need, but they won’t meet 100% of your needs. At night and on cloudy days, you will need more power than your system can produce. That means you’ll still be connected to your cooperative’s power lines. Because these systems are grid-connected, energy can flow both ways. As you begin exploring renewable energy systems, be sure to obtain our interconnection agreement requirements.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Adding insulation, sealing air leaks and completing other basic improvement projects make sense for several reasons. You can immediately cut your energy costs. Your cooperative offers energy audits to members by a qualified auditor to help.
Contact Your Electric Utility Before Investing
Central Electric can offer a third-party perspective on renewable energy projects. We want to make sure you are happy with your system and that the process meets our requirements. The earlier you contact us, the better.
With the right planning and support, renewable energy can be a valuable resource for cooperative members. However, in most cases, South Dakotans will need to maintain electric service so they have power when they need it.
Before signing any contracts for wind or solar equipment, please contact Central Electric. Sharing the estimated energy production and return on investment with your cooperative will help ensure the numbers you see are real.
Call me with any questions to help ensure the system you are considering meets Central Electric’s requirements before investing in this type of project.