When Isle of Palms, a sun-kissed oceanfront town north of downtown Charleston, SC, wanted to save money by generating electricity more sustainably, Alder Energy answered the call. The company will now work with the town to produce clean and sustainable energy while creating a ripple effect of benefits for all residents.
State Grant Creates Solar Power Savings for IOP Residents
Consisting of 44 made-in-America solar panels, the Isle of Palms solar energy project will cut the monthly electric bill for the city’s public works building from $3,000 to $600, saving the taxpayers money. City officials also anticipate saving approximately $90,000 in electricity costs over the panel’s estimated 30-year lifespan, which will go right back into city funds.
Alder’s experts can analyze a business’s energy usage during a scheduled consultation to determine the number of panels needed and the estimated savings that can be generated to ensure maximum benefits are achieved. This is precisely what they did for the Isle of Palms.
City officials are already planning how to use the savings generated from the project once it’s complete.
“We can use it for footbridges or other projects on the island,” said Mayor Phillip Pound, who is thrilled to see the project completed and the positive impact it will bring.
The localized solar array, funded entirely by a state grant for $67,000, will transform Isle of Palms’ public works building into a solar-powered facility at the advisement of the city’s Environmental Advisory Committee.
With the contract for Alder Energy to complete the installation approved by the City of Isle of Palms, construction for the project will take a few weeks and be completed later this spring.
Solar Power: A Reliable Energy Source
Saving money is not the only benefit of solar power for Isle of Palms. Relying primarily on the sun’s rays instead of the power grid sets an example for clean, renewable-powered buildings.
Alder Energy uses commercial-grade solar panels that can withstand hail, high-impact winds, and rain, making them more durable in Charleston’s often turbulent weather and more reliable than traditional power sources. Businesses can create less reliance on the power grid and more energy independence.
“It definitely offers a lot of potential reliability benefits,” says Taylor Allred, climate and energy program director at the Coastal Conservation League. “Having more distributed generation resources like solar energy can help to provide backup power in the event of disasters like a hurricane, and I would love to see more projects done that incorporate microgrid designs that can incorporate solar and battery storage to be able to keep an area powered while maybe there are disruptions across the larger grid.”
Alder Energy’ Work Region-Wide
Isle of Palms isn’t Alder’s first success story in its long history with South Carolina. Municipalities in the Charleston area have been well acquainted with Alder Energy’s work, expertise, and leadership in the solar energy industry for over two decades. Alder Energy installed a solar array at the town hall on James Island, just west of the Charleston peninsula, and at its cultural center and fire station. Alder Energy has also installed solar panels on multiple buildings operated by the City of Beaufort and at schools across the state.
Since 2008, Alder Energy has designed and built solar energy solutions for many businesses in the area, including 400 panels at Blackbaud. Other projects include an 86-kilowatt system at Ross Printing, an installation at Kion North America that offset more than 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide, and a dual rooftop and carport project at Tanger Outlets in North Charleston.
A Brighter Future For All
Currently, 14% of the state’s power comes from burning coal. However, there is a bright future on the horizon and plenty of opportunity for growth.
In 2015, solar energy only made up roughly .01% of net energy generation in South Carolina due to inconsistent support for solar energy and restrictive legislation. Through the hard work of sustainability leaders like Alder Energy, data compiled by the Coastal Conservation League in 2023 shows a significant jump to over 3% in solar energy production, making South Carolina 19th in the country for total solar grid installations.
Solar energy has also generated over $3 billion in capital investments and created 3,500 jobs throughout the Palmetto State, offering benefits beyond sustainability and energy-independent businesses.
Through education and supportive legislation backed by residents, Alder Energy’s commercial work, like the Isle of Palms solar system, will no longer be a commemorative movement toward sustainability; it will be the norm.
Are you ready to take the next steps toward sustainability and transform your business? Contact Alder today for a free consultation. There is no better time to create a brighter future than now.
