Solar power is a preferred choice for many communities seeking to build green sources of power generation, create jobs, and increase energy independence.
OCI Solar Power is willing to work with local governments, utilities, and Economic Development teams to discuss the best approach for moving forward with solar power development.
Advantages of locally produced solar power
Solar power provides power during peak hours when electricity demand is highest. Local solar power defers or eliminates the need to build other types of power plants or new transmission lines in the area. Solar power technology is proven and tested.
Solar is potentially the “greenest” of all renewable power.
Solar technology does not produce emissions, and produces power during peak demand hours, whereas wind produces a large portion of its power at night when not as much electricity is consumed. In addition, the environmental impact on wildlife is minimal compared to wind or hydro that have the potential to harm wildlife during the normal migratory or daily movements of the wildlife.
How a solar PV plant produces electricity
Solar PV (photovoltaic) power plants enable solar cells to convert sunlight into electric current. Specifically, solar cells are packaged together into a module or panel that releases electrons when hit with rays of photons from sunlight. This release of electrons is harnessed by solar panels to produce a large electric current, which is electricity.
Getting electricity onto the power grid
The electricity produced by a PV solar plant is a constant stream of current, or “direct current” (DC). This is similar to the type of current produced by a typical AA battery. Once the power is collected from the solar panels, it is run through inverters that convert the direct current electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the preferred type because its voltage can be altered making it ideal for long-distance transmission.
Community involvement
We are glad to meet with a community’s Planning Board or Economic Development team to talk about appropriate steps for developing a solar power plant. Some initial considerations are suitable land, community support and appropriate zoning ordinances.