Launched in 2022 by Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the nine-year Energy Storage Solutions program is managed by Connecticut Green Bank, the nation's first state-level green bank, along with Eversource and UI. Qcells' two projects – located in Cheshire and Newington, Connecticut – total 1.7 MW of solar and 1.2 MWh of storage.
During the life of the agreement, Qcells' solar and storage systems could reap more than $2 million in utility bill savings. Beyond cost savings, in the long-term, Qcells' projects are anticipated to avoid the release of more than 32,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, which is equal to taking more than 7,000 gas-powered passenger vehicles off the road for a year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculator. Qcells' combined solar and battery storage also effectively supplies backup power for critical loads during outages.
The state's storage program is a key to bringing more reliable, affordable storage solutions to Connecticut. The program is aimed at helping all types of energy customers install clean storage solutions to increase reliability and lower energy costs. Qcells' system will contribute to the grid during critical periods and in return is eligible for performance incentives. With its Geli EMS software, Qcells optimizes battery charging and discharging to comply with program requirements and maximize both the operational and financial performance of the projects.
Qcells' projects for HAU were also made possible by incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides a 30% tax credit for both storage and solar installations. These projects are a prime example of how state and federal policies together can accelerate the clean energy transition, lower energy costs and increase grid reliability in a changing climate.
"From the aerospace engines business to the steel industry, we are seeing more and more manufacturers begin to understand the wide-ranging benefits Qcells' full suite of clean energy solutions provide," said Jin Han, Corporate Officer, Head of Distributed Energy at Qcells. "Our end-to-end energy solutions will help companies like Hanwha Aerospace USA and communities across the country alike, achieve sustainability goals while also increasing grid reliability, resiliency and cost savings. Ultimately, we are proud to help power Hanwha Aerospace's operations and to be an inaugural part of Connecticut's Energy Storage Solutions program."
"We see our 20-year agreement with Qcells as an incredible opportunity to make Hanwha Aerospace USA's operations cleaner, more resilient and more affordable," said Stephen Lindsey, Chief Technology Officer for Hanwha Aerospace USA. "We're leading the way in our industry as we adopt clean energy solutions across our operations. HAU looks forward to the long-term benefits this agreement will yield both for our business and for the surrounding community as the projects provide us clean, resilient energy and contribute to a more sustainable and reliable power grid."
