Thinking Outside the Box: Water Basin Solar System
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When completing a solar project, farmers will occasionally need to sacrifice the most cherished asset of all - crop space. However, we’re proud to say that our JKB Energy team has an expert ability to leverage each corner of unusable ranch space, including mandated water basins!
Our design team puts a tremendous amount of thought into recommending where our customers’ new solar system should be situated. Our team of experts—headed up by Nova Sayadian, our NABCEP-certified Vice President of Design & Procurement—conduct a thorough analysis, check electrical equipment for any possible roadblocks, and then provide the best recommendation for location of the install.
Located at Cortez Growers in Turlock, CA- We reconstructed a water basin for their solar system in order to utilize unused irrigation space.
In Cortez Growers’ situation in particular, we engineered their solar system to sit several feet above their water basin. This county-mandated space is typically a wasted and unusable area—which can be frustrating in a hulling/stockpiling industry—but because of the ingenuity of the design the system at Cortez Growers has been able to average energy output of 103%, even while sitting in water!
The first step in the Cortez project was to expand the water basin, going wider and shallower to allow sufficient water space. Then we raised the racking and panels 8- 10 feet. Using concrete supports, we built the inverters up on a platform for the system to sit just above the water level, even after the basin fills with water. Because of its added complexity, this type of installation requires the addition of a hydrologist to our installation team.
Not only do these special water basin-solar systems utilize previously unusable space, but they also add value to the property. Farmland is of the utmost value, so to be able to save money using wasted space is a huge benefit for our ag clients.
We always strive to build each of our clients the perfect solar system for their unique situations. We take pride in coming up with valuable propositions and “thinking outside the box” for our clients. We know that a solar system is a lifelong investment and we want our customers to feel confident that solar will indeed benefit their businesses in the long run.
Contact us today to learn how you too can experience solar!