In order to make sure that our future is one with sustainable energy, then there must be renewable energy around the clock to be available for everyone to use. To make sure that there is a working model, the island of Kauai was chosen for its strategic location. After all, there is no shortage of solar energy when it comes to the island of Kauai in Hawaii, but solar energy is available only when the sun is out. What happens when the sun sets? Well, that would mean reverting to fossil fuels so that the island has energy to use at night. Tesla has a solution for this problem, making use of their 52 MWh Tesla Powerpack and 13 MW solar farm that are capable of stashing solar energy that is produced during the day. When dusk falls and the demand for energy increases, then the Powerpack and solar farm will help deliver the necessary power required to the grid. This is a dispatchable solar project that marks for the very first time, a utility that has been contracted for a system of such magnitude with the ability to deliver solar energy after sunset.
Officially open this Friday, March 10, Tesla’s Kauai solar power facility will be located on a 13 MW SolarCity solar farm installation. This solar farm sends juice to the Powerpack storage facility that has a total capacity of 52 MWh. What makes it beautiful is the fact that this solar farm is so strategically located, it captures energy from the sun in peak daytime production hours, before the power is sent out for peak consumption hours at night.
Definitely one of the newer realities when it comes to solar power generation, Tesla’s Powerpack technology makes it possible. This is basically the commercial version of the Tesla Powerwall home storage batteries. Hawaii continues their upward trajectory in being a green state, by being a big solar power consumer already. This is one initiative that would address the challenges of peak production time that overlaps closely with the times when power requirements are at a low.
This does not mean that the island of Kauai is going to be totally free from its dependence on fossil fuels, but it will continue to rely on diesel that is shipped to the island to handle the remainder power requirements. However, we are looking at the ability to save up to 1.6 million gallons of fossil fuel every single year, which is no mean feat itself.
Tesla is keeping their fingers crossed that this solar farm in Kauai will be a prototype for other commercial energy providers, regardless of where they are. Countries that receive plenty of sunshine every single year, especially those that are located along the equator would do well to look into the possibility of such a solution. Not only will there be a lower amount of greenhouse emissions, it would also save the government a whole lot of money when it comes to energy expenditure. For small stakeholders like regular homeowners, there is always the Tesla solar roof that can be installed in your home.
