Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  November 19, 2024

Penobscot Nation to Deploy BESS

The Penobscot Nation will deploy a half-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) for the tribe’s community and commerce facilities. 

The BESS will also improve the resilience of Maine’s electrical grid to better withstand extreme storms while enhancing clean energy deployment.

Sunnova Energy International, Inc., an adaptive energy services company, announced it was chosen by the Penobscot Nation to add the storage system.

The system will capture excess PV production estimated at 549,678 kWh per year and, through the microgrid, provide resiliency enabled by load management. The microgrid can supplement on-site generation and continue to restore the BESS without grid support, providing an ongoing source of sustainable power during grid outages.

“The Penobscot Nation is particularly vulnerable to multi-day outages when severe weather strikes due to our location on Indian Island in Maine,” said Kirk E. Francis Sr., Chief of the Penobscot Nation, in a statement. “Sunnova’s microgrid will provide a critical source of dependable power when the grid goes down, particularly for our Penobscot Community and Commercial Centers, helping us maintain essential health and administrative services. Our community stands to benefit greatly from the sustainable electricity generated by the sun – and we will enjoy more peace of mind in the face of future grid outages.”

The project is supported by the Maine Grid Resilience Program, which selected Sunnova along with six Maine utilities to deploy electric grid resilience projects in communities throughout the state.

Sunnova’s solar and storage microgrid system for the Penobscot Nation will be backed by its standard 25-year service plan, Sunnova Protect®, which includes managing and maintaining production for all of its systems for 25 years after installation, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for system maintenance or equipment repairs or replacements, including labor.

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