Enphase Energy, Inc. today announced that 603 Solar deployed a 16.8 kW DC solar array on the town hall building for the community of Shelburne, New Hampshire. After other recent energy efficiency upgrades to the town hall building, the solar system from 603 Solar is expected to offset 100% of the building's energy needs.
The team at 603 Solar specified 42 Enphase IQ 7A™ microinverters for the Shelburne town hall, and the system was locally installed by Roger Adams, owner at Adams Energy LLC. The Shelburne Energy Committee, started by residents Ray Danforth and Michael Prange, produced the analysis used by the Town of Shelburne to set up a financing structure aimed at having the solar project generate positive savings starting in the first year of solar power generation. The town hall's solar system is projected to produce up to 18,174 kWh in its first year of operation and targeted at offsetting 100% of the Town Hall's energy needs. The system is anticipated to offset approximately 12.8 metric tons of CO2 per year.
The Energy Committee worked closely with the Shelburne Selectboard on energy efficiency upgrades. Following this, the next major step towards net-zero energy was to find a cost-neutral means of installing a solar electric array. Working with the Selectboard, the bank, and the people in this small town, the Town leveraged favorable financing conditions and now has a solar system that will service the loan with funds that were allocated for paying electric bills. This project shows how great communication and collaboration between residents and community leaders can create long-term value for an entire community using solar energy.
"It was a pleasure to work with the Town of Shelburne and the Shelburne Energy Committee because they were determined to offset 100% of the energy for the town hall using solar," said Zach Haithcock, co-founder at 603 Solar. "After the community's previous investments in advanced energy efficiency measures for the building, it made sense for us also to use the most advanced solar technology available, which made Enphase microinverters the obvious choice. We will be keeping an eye on the array remotely from the Enphase Enlighten™ monitoring system to ensure the best possible solar production for the people of Shelburne."
603 Solar was awarded the town hall solar project through its participation in a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Town of Shelburne. In addition to system sizing and recommending the solar modules and microinverters for the project, 603 Solar also prepared and submitted the interconnection application with the local utility and the Town's application for the Commercial and Industrial Solar Incentive with the New Hampshire Public Utility Commission.
"The team at 603 Solar has done great work in pulling together this system for the Town of Shelburne, which is now able to serve its community using clean, renewable energy that pays for itself," said Dave Ranhoff, chief commercial officer at Enphase Energy. "We appreciate the trust 603 Solar has placed in the quality and reliability of Enphase products, and it's great to know that the residents of Shelburne can now rely on solar as a clean and renewable energy source at their town hall building."
