EDPR NA Distributed Generation, a leader in the distributed generation sector, announced a 23.27 MWdc ground-mount solar array system coupled with a 15 megawatt (MW) / 60 megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage system for Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC), a not-for-profit distribution cooperative in Arizona. Together, the solar + storage system will help MEC provide renewable power, mitigate peak period energy use, and ultimately, stabilize energy costs for its 36,700 members.

Tyler Carlson, Chief Executive Officer of Mohave Electric Cooperative, stated, “We are pleased to be working with EDP Renewables on Mohave Electric Cooperative’s first solar plus storage project. This project demonstrates MEC’s proactive planning to increase reliability, meet renewable energy mandates, and support the overall electrical grid.”

EDPR NA DG and MEC held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and on-site tour on Wednesday, October 25, to inaugurate the new solar array. Gustavo Monteiro, CEO, EDPR NA Distributed Generation and Tyler Carlson, CEO, Mohave Electric Cooperative spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition, Dave Harper, Head of Tribal Engagement at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy led a blessing ceremony that recognized the Mojave spiritual content of the land and emphasized that continued environmental stewardship will result in people working together for the betterment of all.

Participation from local government leaders included Leo Biasiucci, House Majority Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives, Sonny Borrelli, Majority Leader of the Arizona Senate, and representatives from the Office of Congressman Paul Gosar, to celebrate the new renewable energy installation which will immediately go to work for the people of western Arizona.

Energy cooperatives make up a significant amount of the electric industry and are key players in the transition to renewables across the US. According to NRECA, of the hundreds of electric cooperative members they represent, 95% focus on either directly generating or procuring renewable energy. By supporting the development of solar + storage, MEC is increasing its local generation resources that can help isolate the co-op from any transmission issues and delays and avoid unstable price points in the generation market.

Through MEC’s investment in renewables, its members, and the communities it serves tap into innumerable economic and environmental benefits. The resulting solar + storage project is expected to provide surrounding residents and local governments in Arizona with new potential sources of revenue from the economic growth, job creation, and workforce development opportunities that come with increased reliability for the area.

The Mohave project’s ground-mount solar array system, developed with Prometheus Power, will help MEC offset 36,247 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of carbon emissions from 7,053 homes’ electricity use in one year or the carbon sequestered by 43,225 acres of U.S. forests in one year.

EDPR NA DG partnered with Stem (NYSE: STEM), a global leader in AI-driven clean energy solutions and services, on the energy storage system for the project.

“This solar + storage project is a prime example of how MEC – and cooperatives in general – have the power to provide equitable access to clean energy for its members and communities all while providing the framework for a more resilient grid, stated Gustavo Monteiro, Chief Executive Officer, EDPR NA DG. “EDPR NA DG’s collaboration with Stem assured the energy storage system would be optimally configured to supply an end-to-end solution to MEC in our first project together.”

The project’s energy storage system will be operated by Athena®, Stem’s award-winning AI-driven clean energy optimization software. Strategically integrated with the renewable energy resource and MEC’s grid control systems, Athena will help the co-op deliver reliable, clean electricity to its members. MEC will use Athena to operate and monitor the storage system 24/7, schedule dispatches, and dispatch on command into high-demand time periods. In addition, MEC will be using Stem’s PowerTrack solar management application within Athena for AI-driven solar forecasting, and advanced modeling to help streamline solar optimization for added value for MEC and its members.

John Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Stem, commented, “Electric cooperatives across the country are seeing the value of AI-driven software to unlock the full potential of clean energy assets, and we are thrilled to support Mohave Electric Cooperative in Arizona alongside our partner, EDPR NA DG. Stem’s smart energy solutions for cooperatives are designed to help maximize savings and deliver clean, reliable power to their members.” 

In addition to its work with MEC and Stem, EDPR NA DG has additional solar + storage projects currently under construction in the states of Massachusetts and California as it surpasses over 400MWp of operational distributed energy assets across North America.

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