Green Mountain Power Selects Pika Energy to Power Emerald Lake State Park with Solar Power and Tesla

RUTLAND, Vt. - Sept. 14, 2015 - PRLog -- Green Mountain Power has selected Pika Energy to provide the core products and expertise required to transform Emerald Lake State Park into Vermont’s first “ePark.” Utilizing the Pika Energy Island™ system, Emerald Lake will be fully powered by the sun, with Tesla Powerwall batteries providing onsite backup power.

The Pika Energy Island (http://www.pika-energy.com/products/pika-energy-island/) system integrates renewable generation, energy storage, loads, and the utility grid to make clean power more efficient and simpler to install and use. The system uses a single islanding inverter to directly connect Powerwall batteries to solar generation on its 380 VDC bus. This power is distributed to the park’s loads and, when necessary, to the grid. Ultimately, the Emerald Lake system will operate completely independently from the grid as the legacy utility lines are phased out.

The Emerald Lake ePark, to be installed next spring, will demonstrate the benefits of connecting solar power generation with Tesla Powerwall batteries using the Pika Islanding Inverter™. The simple, highly efficient, and affordable system will significantly reduce costs and provide a more reliable energy infrastructure for the park, providing a model for other parks, homes, businesses and municipal sites.

“We’re excited to provide a smart, clean power solution to the Emerald Lake State Park,” said Ben Polito, President and Co-Founder of Pika Energy. “Tesla’s Powerwall batteries combined with our high efficiency islanding inverter will ensure the park experiences many years of reliable, clean power that won’t be impacted by grid outages. GMP’s ePark program is a perfect example of the many benefits of renewable energy systems over energy derived from fossil fuel sources.”

Emerald Lake State Park currently experiences power outages due to fallen trees and transmission lines running through difficult terrain, hindering repairs and maintenance. GMP officials say the new Pika Energy Island system will cost 20% less than rebuilding the utility lines and save up to $8,000 annually in maintenance. GMP sees Pika Energy’s products as a solution to the “last mile” problem of delivering grid services to customers whose location and landscape make traditional utility lines difficult.

GMP’s partnership with Pika Energy expands on the utility’s recently-announced partnership with Tesla. GMP ordered approximately 500 Powerwall batteries, to be delivered this fall, to support GMP’s ongoing efforts to reduce fossil fuel reliance and bring more clean power to Vermont homes and businesses.

“I’m thrilled that we can cost-effectively provide incredibly reliable, renewable power to one of Vermont’s state parks by taking it off the grid,” said Mary Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Mountain Power. “Emerald Lake State Park is a great example to Vermonters, and the thousands of visitors to the park each year, of what our energy future will look like. This project will show how we can provide cost-effective power that is clean and highly reliable, while being generated closer to home.”