Ideal Power’s solar-plus-storage microgrid solution for US Air Force

September 21, 2016
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
 Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James speaks with 1st Lt. Jonathan Goins, an environment research engineer at the Air Force Research Lab. Source: Johnny Salvidar

Ideal Power, a power conversion expert, has partnered with EnerDel and its lithium-ion batteries to create a mobile solar-plus-storage microgrid for the US Air Force.

The system was launched under a year-long programme formulated by researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory and University of Dayton Research Institute.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Air Force bases and other militia locations are often reliant on diesel fuel to produce power in remote locations that are difficult to connect to the grid. Not only is this method expensive and environmentally adverse, but it is also unreliable as it can be problematic sending convoys into hostile environments.

To solve these problems, EnerDel selected Ideal Power’s grid resilient multi-port 30kW power conversion system together with an 8kW tent-mounted solar array to form a portable microgrid, which not only provides a cost-effective alternative to diesel, but adds a degree of energy security as power can be generated from solar independent of any utility grid

Read the full story on PV Tech's sister website Energy-Storage.News here.

Read Next

April 7, 2026
US independent power producer (IPP) Geronimo Power has begun operations at a 117MW solar PV project in Ohio.
April 7, 2026
The Texas Attorney General has launched an investigation into four residential solar installers over alleged “fraudulent and deceptive practices”.
April 7, 2026
Aggreko has finalised a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with international mining company Harmony Gold for the Eva Copper Mine Project in Northwest Queensland.
April 2, 2026
Solar manufacturer Qcells is expanding into integrated home energy systems with a new division targeting the US residential construction sector.
April 2, 2026
Monocrystalline passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) modules saw a 20% increase in average price in the US, according to Anza.
April 2, 2026
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy has produced 2.79GW of solar modules in 2025, in line with its guidance of 2.6-3GW for the year.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland