Millennium
New Member
Not to poo poo solar; it is completely feasible (you need about a 100,000 square foot clear roof area and 1-2 parking stalls for the equipment, but it isn't the right solution to your actual problem. You should talk with the utility about either an automatic tap changer (per phase) or a similar type of power conditioner to solve the root problem. Running off propane to cover nights isn't viable, although natural gas could be. (Assuming you run about 500kWh 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year the propane cost is likely on the order of $780k/year.)
In the old days I would recommend a Hitech Diesel-rotary UPS for this type of problem, although a static double-conversion UPS or an APC SymmetraMW line-interactive UPS might do the job at a lower cost.
Diurnal energy storage if your overnight loads are over ~2MWh is likely not cost effective on a reasonable timeline. I think 1MWh is readily available though which can buffer your excess solar during the day and save a little at night. The system is likely to cost around $2.5-3 million all-in.
Really appreciate the input and recommendations. This type of information is really helpful, thank you.
Not sure how you get to $780K with the propane? Are you assuming that 3x 500 kW generators are running simultaneously?
Can I pick your brain about the diesel-rotary UPS? This equipment sounds intriguing. Why would you not recommend it today?
My understanding is that the static double-conversion UPS and symmetraMW line-interactive UPS are both battery-powered, with limited run times. Unfortunately, my over/under issues sometimes last for hours each day.
My expected budget is in the range you mentioned.