Light Manufacturing Company Replaces Generator with Solar Plus Battery Storage to Reduce Costs and Emissions

In December 2019, BoxPower deployed an off-grid SolarContainer in Concord, California that shows the strong economic, environmental, and logistical advantages for off-grid commercial customers. These benefits include:

• Significant annual cost savings from reduction in generator fuel
• Range of options for amount of renewable energy production, up to 100%, with ability to meet air quality standards
• Turnkey system that installs in under one day, shipped anywhere

The example below illustrates the advantages of BoxPower systems for off-grid commercial applications, based on a client’s light manufacturing operation in Concord, CA that had been running on a diesel generator for 20 years, as they were not able to receive utility service to their facility.

BoxPower Process for Right-sizing Solar Plus Battery Systems for Optimum Benefit at Least Cost

Cost savings begins with right-sizing the system, no more and no less than what is required to meet both renewable energy and cost-saving goals. In order to recommend the optimal solar plus battery system and at the least cost, BoxPower offers its Energy Audit and System Integration (EASI) service. This process takes a detailed survey of current and planned energy usage as well as the customer’s current diesel generator usage. It then recommends a BoxPower system and the potential savings and financial analysis of the system. For this customer in Concord, CA, BoxPower’s EASI software recommended a 15kW PV array and 42kWh battery bank to integrate with the existing 30kW generator. This system was designed to reach 90% renewable energy utilization  with no generator usage as can be seen in the February 2020 data below.  

Diesel Generator Costs

In Concord, CA the average diesel price is $3.79 and projected to increase 4.5% per year through 2040 (EIA). Assuming the customer continues to use 2,300 gallons of diesel a year costing $8,700, the lifetime cost of only the diesel fuel totals 272,375 dollars over the 20 year useful life period. Assuming $250 of maintenance per year (GTI), this total cost increases to $275,375. Please note this does not include diesel procurement or storage costs which can increase costs above $5 per gallon. 

BoxPower Financial Benefits

The total cost of the BoxPower 15kW/42kWh system was $94,813 including our 1 day installation process due to BoxPower’s patented easy-to-assemble design. Lifetime savings compared to the diesel generator are $178,143 before any investment tax credit. With the 26% investment tax credit, lifetime savings increase to $202,795 and an ROI in year 6. This customer chose to purchase outright, but if mixed with BoxPower’s 15 year financing, the customer experiences day 1 savings. Please see the figure below showing savings for the customer.

 Environmental Benefits

Each gallon of diesel emits 22 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (EIA). Since installation at the end of 2019, the Concord system has offset 11,509 pounds of carbon dioxide and will offset 1.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide over its life. For commercial and government entities who must meet air quality standards, the BoxPower solar plus battery systems provide an immediate solution. For those who wish to reduce generator use and emissions over time, all BoxPower systems are modular and easily scalable, enabling clients to add more solar and battery storage as their budgets allow, working toward renewable energy targets in an efficient and feasible way.

Logistics Benefits

Instead of worrying about diesel procurement, generator maintenance, or complicated custom solar and battery systems, BoxPower removes the headache and trouble by providing a turnkey, plug-and-play system that works on arrival, and that requires zero maintenance. Batteries and inverters are pre-wired inside a cargo container. BoxPower assembles pre-cut racking and the solar panels on site, and then commissions the system, all in a single day. Remote monitoring enables clients and BoxPower to assess system performance. 

BoxPower, Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Energy Anywhere

As seen by an off-grid commercial customer in California, there are significant value propositions in cost, simplicity, reliability, and sustainability for choosing BoxPower. Please reach out to [email protected] or visit our website https://boxpower.io to learn more.