Solar Power & Energy Storage System Launched At Denver Public Library – CleanTechnica

---

Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.

---

At the beginning of this year, energy became politicized in the United States even more than it was. As a result, it may now be that there are many clean energy situations and events that are being overlooked because they are smaller in comparison to the news about what the federal government is doing to support toxic fossil fuels.

Not all energy projects in the US take place at the federal level: regions, states, counties, cities, and towns may carry on with their own initiatives. There may be a tendency for less or no attention to be paid to them, and yet they are still happening. They also are happening in multiple places continuously.

Just one of them is the new solar power and energy storage system at the Denver Public Library. The energy storage company Viridi provided the battery system. Viridi CEO Jon M. Williams answered some questions about the project.

What is the solar power capacity?

The solar power capacity is 172 kW (DC).

What is the battery capacity and duration?

The battery capacity is 100 kWh and the duration is 5 hours.

What is the battery chemistry?

Viridi’s RPSLinkEX is a lithium-ion energy storage system engineered with fail-safe anti-propagation technology that eliminates thermal propagation events—meeting Denver’s rigorous fire-safety standards for occupied public buildings like the Denver Public Library.

What is the battery warranty?

Viridi’s RPSLinkEX product comes with a 10-yr. warranty on battery cells and 2-year warranty on all other electronic and mechanical components

Were there any incentives that lowered the energy storage project cost?

The IRA Investment Tax Credit typically covers 30% of the installed cost of a Battery Energy Storage System, and Viridi’s RPSLink product typically qualifies for the 10% Domestic Content adder, for a total tax credit on 40% of the installed cost of the BESS.

Will the battery help save money by reducing electricity costs, and if so, by how much?

Yes, the behind-the-meter system captures excess solar during the day and discharges after hours to:

• Shift kWh to lower-cost periods, and
• Shave kW peaks to reduce demand charges.

This means lower demand charges and reduced overall electricity costs via solar shifting and peak shaving.

The Library is on XCEL’s Secondary General rate tariff and pays roughly $25/kW in demand charges, so the 20kW BESS can save up to $500 per month through peak shaving (depending on how the facility uses electricity).

Will the solar and battery reduce carbon emissions, and if so, by how much?

Yes, by maximizing on-site use of renewable solar and cutting grid consumption during higher-emissions periods, the project supports lower operational carbon and a cleaner, more resilient energy profile for the library.