Wind Energy

Siemens Wins 20 MW Idaho Solar Energy Project

Siemens Industry, Inc. today announced it has received a multi-million dollar order from Interconnect Solar Development, LLC, to supply solar technology for the 20MW Murphy Flats solar field located in Idaho – the first commercial solar field to be integrated within Idaho Power Company’s (IDACORP, Inc.) service territory. IDACORP was prompted to explore renewable energy sources such as solar to accommodate continued growth in summertime peak hour demand.

The solar technology, which will be manufactured at Siemens West Chicago plant, will include inverters, transformers and containers, and will feature a major technology advantage by using 1000VDC inverters along with 1000VDC panels for maximum energy harvesting.

‘The Siemens team demonstrated a true understanding of our project objectives, and the team made a significant investment of their time and expertise to bring additional solar power to electricity customers in Idaho,’ says Bill Piske, founder of Interconnect Solar Development, LLC. ‘Siemens Answers for Industry event first allowed our team the opportunity to learn about the integrated solutions provided by Siemens, as well as the company’s PV project experience.’

The Siemens solar solution will include Siemens Sinvert photovoltaic (PV) inverter technology in a multi-unit cluster design. Siemens Sinvert PVS solar inverters are integrated within environmentally controlled and air-cooled containers to ensure that output demands are delivered for the expected 20-year lifespan of the PV solar power plant. The design also provides one of the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE).

Additionally, Siemens’ leading IGBT technology-based inverters will deliver efficiency greater than 98 percent. Through the proven cluster design, these inverters enable higher outputs during regular operations. With less sunlight, excess inverters are automatically switched off so that the work load can be distributed more efficiently over the remaining inverters to produce the maximum possible amount of current for the power network. Siemens SINVERT PVS solar inverters ensure grid-compatibility, efficiency and safety.

The Murphy Flats project will also feature Siemens PV-WinCC SCADA software, offering high-level monitoring, integration of processes and automatic, on-site or remote monitoring for complete communication, control and visualization the solar power system.

‘We are proud that Interconnect Solar chose Siemens to be its partner for the Murphy Flats project,’ says Richard Myers, director of solar vertical market management for Siemens. ‘Additionally, our service and support will ensure uptime and plant efficiency throughout the project lifecycle by providing a 20-year customer service agreement.’

For the past 10 years, Siemens has been a leader in the development, operation and maintenance of the majority of the world’s largest solar power photovoltaic plants and solar PV projects. Siemens currently has more than 110MG of utility-scale central inverters in the United States, and is approaching 1GW globally. Siemens supports the solar industry with integrated solutions for automation, control and protection needs through products such as inverters, tracking control, wireless communications, switchgear and other key automation and power components.

www.usa.siemens.com/solar