Solar Generation (Energy Centre)
Solar Performance Report for 2024
Total Energy Generation:
The solar system generated a total of 532833.3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy.
Project Background:
Distinguished from more routine renewal energy projects due to its innovative battery storage component, the “Summerland Energy Centre” encompasses a solar array with 412kW of solar generating capacity and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The focus of this report is the solar array, with additional data about the BESS forthcoming as it becomes available for analysis.
The project was completed on-time and under-budget, supported by a $6,000,000 grant from the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly the Federal Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund).
Monthly Performance:
Methodology:
Information was gathered by collecting actual on-site readings relating to solar performance. A one-year cycle was examined and has informed the production of this report.
Peak Performance:
As expected, the solar system reached its peak performance during the summer months, with June, July and August exhibiting the highest energy outputs due to longer daylight hours and optimal sun exposure.
Energy Impact:
The system's operation in 2024 helped offset the equivalent to 46 homes electricity needs for the average Canadian household using NRCan’s calculations.
(https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/calculator/refs.cfm)
Using the District of Summerland average of approximately 900 kWh per household/per month this is equivalent to 49 homes.
Maintenance and Downtime:
- Scheduled Maintenance: Vegetation Mitigation - $240
- Unscheduled Downtime:0 Hours
Overall, the solar system maintained a high availability rate, ensuring consistent energy production throughout the year.
Purchasing Power:
At the wholesale cost of electricity from FortisBC, the solar system was able to supplant $34,751.39 of electricity purchases.
Originally slated to be a 1 MW solar array, before construction and with the permission of the funding agency, the solar component of the project was scaled back to 412 kW. The reduced scope allowed the project to move forward despite significant market pressures due to supply chain and economic conditions at the time of procurement.
The original estimate for generation based on wholesale electricity rates in the 2019 Financial Analysis Report was $80,551. At a reduced .412 scaling the estimate would be $33,187, with actual generation for 2024 being marginally above.
Additional Data
The Solar System consists of 6 strings and 6 inverters. Their generation by string and month is presented below showing consistent performance throughout the system.
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Questions?
For more information on The District of Summerland’s Distributed Generation Program, contact:
Utilities Department, Electrical Utility Division
Phone: 250 494-0431 Fax: 250 494-3399
Email: works&infrastructure@summerland.ca