Fronius is excited to announce that the 1.6 MWp solar system of the North Putnam Community School, powered by Fronius inverters, won the Midwest Project of Distinction Award 2016.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) recognized the best photovoltaic projects in the Midwest at the PV Conference and Expo in Chicago. The Project of Distinction Award recognizes solar projects that demonstrate innovation, diverse community involvement, and best practices that advance the industry. Fronius submitted the North Putnam Community School project, which is unique in several aspects.
North Putnam Community Schools is the first school district in the state of Indiana that runs two of its buildings completely off “net zero solar energy”, using a 1.6 MWp solar system. While the project had to be financed without any solar incentive (only a LED lighting rebate was included in the project), it will still pay off in 11 years and is already cash flow positive starting year 1. The system produces approx. 1.6 GWh of Energy a year, which significantly reduces the school’s energy bills.
The system was installed by Indiana energy solution provider Johnson Melloh, in collaboration with Fronius inverters and JLM Energy storage solutions. The school is now equipped with 4,200 solar modules, 42 Fronius Symo string inverters and a JLM Gridz storage system. Johnson Melloh and Fronius are both located in the state of Indiana. Therefore, the project also supports the state’s economy and is a great example for “thinking global, acting local” – both ecological and economical.
The system produces approx. 1.6 GWh of Energy a year, which significantly reduces the school’s energy bills, considering a previous $200,000 energy bill every year.
The award was given to all project partners during the Solar Power PV Conference & Expo in Chicago, which sent a strong signal to the upcoming Midwestern solar market. “This system is a great example on how solar can benefit the Midwest and is a lighthouse project for the whole region”, says Tristan Kreager, Director of Solar Energy at Fronius USA.
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