SolaFlect Energy has introduced its Apollo dual-axis solar EV charging system in California, marking the first commercial installation in the state. The system uses a suspension bridge-style scaffolding design to reduce weight while maintaining structural strength.
The New England-based company partnered with Clear Blue Commercial to deploy the units in West Sacramento. SolaFlect said it views California’s high electricity prices, solar-friendly climate and strong electric vehicle adoption as key factors supporting market entry.
Each of the three units comes with four Level 2 chargers and a maximum system power of 6.88 kW. The Apollo system currently consists of 6.88 kW Axitec Solar panels of 430 watts, a power of 8 kW Sol Ark inverter, and just over 10 kWh Power sync LFP batteries to stabilize the system.
While you’re talking to pv magazine USACTO Rob Adams said they believe these units are a good fit for commercial business parking lots. The sites have mainly daytime traffic and can completely fill a car if charged there all day. The units at least offer employees the opportunity to offset the electricity they use to get to and from the office.
To illustrate how workplace charging and Apollo units fit into the modern business landscape, the group has produced an insightful study of the US Department of Energy. The study showed how a pair of Apollo units helped a company with 1,200 employees achieve its environmental management goals.
Hypertherm worked to minimize the carbon footprint of employees traveling to work, including by financially motivating them to purchase electric vehicles. For those who raised concerns about range, the company installed free chargers and ensured everyone on site had the power they needed while they worked.
However, there were layers we had to learn. Range anxiety is difficult to define and enforce consistently. To better understand employee needs and refine this policy, Hypertherm developed and distributed an internal survey. The results showed that perceived distance anxiety fluctuates with factors such as cold weather, early or late shifts, and the need to run errands after work.
Hypertherm has instituted a new rule that employees must first charge at the Apollo charging stations, one of several standard EV wall chargers the company has installed, to reduce the load on the electric grid and maximize its value.
Adams says an Apollo unit – depending on weather and location – could deliver up to 250 miles of range per day, and up to 60,000 miles over the course of a year. That’s enough to fully power four to five cars, or partially power many more commuting cars.
According to SolaFlect, the hardware powering the dual-axis tracker has been deployed more than 1,300 times in and around Vermont over the past nearly 15 years. This means there are experienced engineers and a hardware supply chain powering the current ninth version of the system.
The unit is in two places and bleeding out in a third. It does require grounding and connection to the pavement; however, all of the work required to install a unit can be completed in one day. The penetrations are nine centimeters deep and there are two per foundation leg. The concrete base represents 88% of the weight of the system.
Throughout most of the conversation, Adams is a disciplined and focused product showman. He knows the value his unit generates for commercial property owners, but give him a moment – and he gets excited about a new mobile version of the Apollo.
Currently, that unit – still secret and in development – sits atop a truck that takes it to secret filming locations in the desert. There it replaces the diesel generators traditionally used to power mobile production sets.
In addition to films shot in the desert, Adams says the company is exploring other, more unique applications. SolaFlect is conducting in-depth conversations with the White Mountain, New Hampshire-based Appalachian Mountain Club, which manages remote, powerless huts on mountain ridges ranging from 4,000 feet to more than 6,000 feet. He is also in talks with an energy-related “adventure brand” that could strategically support his product.
When asked about residential applications – such as powering a home via a microgrid using car batteries and solar energy – Adams said it was a good idea, but quickly focused on the financial aspects and the soon-to-expire tax credit.
Right now, the company wants to get the West Coast launch right and make the most of the time between now and December 31, 2027. Adams said the $59,000 price tag, before incentives, combined with California’s strong sunlight — 21,000 kWh per year versus 16,000 in New England — makes a compelling argument. At that price, a commercial customer can claim a 30% federal tax credit, $17,000, plus roughly $10,000 in benefits from 100% accelerated depreciation in the first year – which amounts to 45% of the system cost.
Over 25 years, Adams says the units will cost $0.10/kWh to $0.08/kWh over their lifetime. Rough math suggests it’s well under $0.07/kWh in California. The company assembles the units in New Hampshire, with key components purchased locally.
Adams says one of their first installations ended with the business owner holding a lottery for the employees to be the first to use the parking spaces for their electric vehicles. The energy he gets – no pun intended – from hearing these stories gives him the motivation to continue in the commercial space.
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