Decom Solar
Decom Solar has successfully completed the decommissioning of a 360-kW rooftop solar array in Los Angeles, California, for Target Corporation and PowerFlex. The previous system consisted of legacy Shell Powerlight modules, Xantrax inverters and an integrated PowerGuard flat racking solution. The entire project, including the removal of all system equipment, was completed within three weeks.
PowerFlex, which managed the decommissioning project, will be adding a new system to the rooftop later this year.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with Decom Solar on this project. This collaboration brings together our collective expertise and shared commitment to environmental responsibility, allowing us to lead by example in the solar industry. We look forward to many more successful projects and a long-lasting partnership,” said Lucie Dupas, chief delivery officer at PowerFlex.
Decom Solar teamed up with SOLARCYCLE to recycle the decommissioned system.
“Decom Solar’s commitment to a greener future compliments SOLARCYCLE’S mission of making solar even more sustainable,” said Jesse Simons, chief commercial officer of SOLARCYCLE. “Commercial stores not only hold huge potential to generate renewable energy, but they can also help our country build a solar circular economy through recycling commitments. We look forward to future projects with Decom’s team and partners.”
All modules from the project have been transported to SOLARCYCLE’s advanced recycling facility in Odessa, Texas, where the panels are processed, recycled and reintegrated into the supply chain.
To further its commitment to the planet, Decom Solar partnered with One Tree Planted, a nonprofit dedicated to global reforestation. For this project, Decom Solar donated 4,795 trees to be planted on behalf of PowerFlex and Target.
News item from Decom Solar
Interesting end to end project. These Shell solar PV modules mentioned sound like the common 175 watt panels offered by many in the early 2000’s. Today the panels are larger, but more efficient and today one can get up to 23 to 24% efficiency ‘TOPCon’ as well as 22% bifacial solar PV panels for roof top commercial applications. This roof could now have around double the solar PV output than the old system removed. It is nice to see companies that are (proactive) in recycling or repurposing old solar PV panels creating a circular economy and supply chain.
Just looking at the lead in picture of the roof, it seems this Target could also double the amount of panels on the roof and have over 1MWp array on the roof. In 10 years (if) or when tandem perovskites/crystalline silicon cells come to the retail market, could be 30% or higher solar insolation capture. Being able to go from a 22% nominal solar PV cell today and grab say 32% with a tandem solar PV cell would allow a 10% increase over the solar capture that is available today. Thinking of 32% solar PV capture on a standard 20 square foot residential solar PV panel would allow from 598 watts STC to around 478 watts PTC, a roof array with 20 panels at PTC 478W would be 9560Wp up to STC of 11960Wp. This removal, repurpose, recycle may become the “new normal”. As such entities that install large systems 15 to 25 years ago, may be in the market to decommission their current solar PV array and put in the latest/greatest technology that has come along in the last 10 years. Amortization of a utiity scale solar PV array can be in 10 years or less. So, every 10 years there is an opportunity to decommission the old system and install a brand new more efficient system. Now it is also possible to install a large ESS and capture some of the solar PV every day and use it at night during TOU rate periods and decrease energy need and costs even more on the monthly electric bill.