The Ideal Newsroom | 10.25.2018
Maharishi International University to inaugurate 1.1 megawatt solar power plant on Friday
The event will feature a tour of the power plant as well as presentations by MUM President Dr. John Hagelin, Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy, Troy and Amy Van Beek of Ideal Energy, and Tom Factor. Congressman Dave Loebsack will make a special guest appearance.
The cutting edge design incorporates both active tracking and battery energy storage. This is the first system of its kind in the Midwest and among the most technologically advanced solar installations in the United States.
The solar array is rated at 1.1 megawatts – over 200 times the size of a typical residential array. The active tracking system uses motors and a predictive algorithm to move the solar panels during the day, following the sun’s path. This system generates around 15% more energy every year than a fixed tilt array of the same size.
The power plant also includes a 1.05 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. This system will allow MIU to peak shave, which cuts expensive demand charges by reducing electricity consumption during peak usage times like summer afternoons.
The MIU Solar Power Plant will bring the University’s renewable energy share to around 43%. By combining active tracking technology with battery energy storage MUM will cut its utility costs by a projected 30%.
MIU invites everyone in the community to attend the inauguration. Transportation will be provided from campus to the power plant and back. Cookies and hot drinks will be served at the power plant site.
For more information about the power plant, visit:
idealenergysolar.com/miu
Contact:
Amy Van Beek
Ideal Energy, Inc.
(641) 209-3288
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