(November 2006)

We were privileged to participate in the design and construction of phase 1 and phase 2 of the Ellensburg Community PV project. This solar farm, currently 36 kW, sits next to the west bound lanes of I-90 between the two exits to Ellensburg, WA.

The project was a collaborative effort among many people, including the City of Ellensburg, Nexgen Energy Systems, Tumwater, WA (initial system design and rack structure design and supply), Earth Friendly Construction, Ellensburg, (project oversight, site preparation, foundations, and rack structure installation), Wray Electric, Ellensburg (electrical), and Brooks Solar (system redesign, inverter and combiner supply, module installation and wiring).

L - R: Gary Nystedt, City of Ellensburg; Bill Hoffer, Brooks Solar; Randy Brooks, Brooks Solar; Dean Duby, Earth Friendly Construction; George Bottcher, owner Earth Friendly Construction.

This solar farm is currently the largest PV array in Washington, and is also the first “virtual net metering” system. City of Ellensburg utility customers can purchase shares of the PV array and have their share of PV production deducted from their electric bill. This allows people to participate in renewable energy production without having to buy a complete PV system, or having good solar exposure at their home or business. As additional people participate, the PV farm will be expanded to as much as 168kW. Because of the community support to date, both phase 1 (24kW) and phase 2 (12kW) were installed initially.

The current installation consists of 120 RWE Schott 300 watt modules and 5 SMA SunnyBoy 6000 grid tie inverters and went on-line November 17, 2006.