Occidental Arts & Ecology Center.
Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC), in partnership with RE-volv and Vital Energy Solutions, recently installed a 124-kW solar and 540-kWh battery storage system at their 80-acre farm and demonstration site in Sonoma County, California. With 270 solar panels, including some mounted on top of a carport equipped with EV chargers, OAEC’s new microgrid system is uniquely designed to meet 100% of their current energy needs as well as some projected future load growth.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and energy prices continue to spike, with the potential for further volatility under recent changes to energy policy, OAEC is taking steps to secure a resilient future. With battery storage, the organization can disconnect from the grid and keep the lights on during wildfire risks and frequent rural power outages. This microgrid will power OAEC’s property year-round, supporting environmental changemakers, hosting group retreats and advancing initiatives that restore biological and cultural diversity.
“Solar power is a good answer to a bunch of questions — how we can create our own electricity, build community resilience and lower our carbon footprint,” said Dave Henson, executive director of OAEC.
Local installer Vital Energy Solutions was the EPC on the microgrid system with support from the OAEC construction crew. The project was partially financed through RE-volv, a nonprofit that helps fellow nonprofits nationwide go solar by providing access to clean energy financing. RE-volv was able to finance this project with investment support from The Schmidt Family Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and Candide’s Afterglow Climate Justice Fund, along with grant support from OTTWAY.
“When a legendary sustainability education organization like OAEC builds a project like this, the ripple effect is tremendous,” said Andreas Karelas, executive director of RE-volv. “Thousands of visitors that come to learn about permaculture and sustainable design here, will hopefully be inspired to replicate these concepts and build resilience through solar and storage microgrids back in their communities.”
News item from RE-volv
