Tokyo-based Solar Frontier has announced that Staten Solar, a California-based engineering, procurement and construction provider, has chosen to install the manufacturer’s copper indium selenium (CIS) thin-film modules at 16 agricultural solar projects.
Ranging in size up to 522 kW, the solar PV systems will be located in Tulare and Kern counties of California’s Central Valley on farms that produce almonds, pistachios and table grapes.
Solar Frontier says each project has unique characteristics requiring innovative construction techniques and designs, including a mix of ground-mounted and Staten Solar’s proprietary levee-mounted racking systems. Three of the 16 projects are currently operational, and the remaining installations are expected to be completed by year-end.
“Staten Solar understands the challenges the agricultural communities face and utilizes their solar expertise in aggregated net metering, rate optimization, demand response, peak day pricing, and financing to deliver valuable energy solutions that help farmers reduce their monthly operating costs,” says Charles Pimentel, chief operating officer of Solar Frontier Americas. “We are pleased Solar Frontier modules were selected for these commercial agriculture solar energy projects.”
Photo courtesy of Staten Solar: Staten Solar installed Solar Frontier’s CIS modules at this 520 kW agricultural solar project in Delano, Calif.
