139kW Stead Elementary School in Reno, NV

Black Rock Solar (BRS) works with nonprofits, Native American tribes, and public institutions like schools, churches, hospitals, and museums to make solar a reality. By focusing on social impact, BRS empowers nonprofits to invest energy savings back into their programs. BRS employed Yaskawa-Solectria Solar string inverters to maximize efficiency and reliability.

Black Rock Solar installed this 139kW ground mount at the Stead Elementary School in Reno, NV. This is one of four projects BRS is currently building for schools serving mainly low-income communities in Northern NV. The projects are paid for by NV Energy under the Low Income Solar Energy Pilot Program passed by the legislature in 2013.

What is Black Rock Solar's mission?

Black Rock Solar is a non-profit developer and installer that promotes environmental stewardship, economic development, and energy independence by providing not-for-profit entities, tribes, and underserved communities with access to clean energy.

How did BRS get started?

Black Rock Solar got started in the summer of 2007 when a group of volunteers led by Matt Mynttinen and Bill Brooks installed a 30-kilowatt array on the playa surface in Black Rock City during the annual Burning Man event, themed that year as The Green Man. Later that fall, the team moved the array and installed it in the tiny desert town of Gerlach, Nevada, donating the solar project to the town’s school system. The original array was expanded to 90 kW, providing the school with 30% of its current power needs and saving educators more than $15,000 per year.

How has BRS grown since it was founded?

Around a year after the Gerlach project, BRS became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Stead is the 100th project that we have installed. These projects have a cumulative capacity of 6.6 MWdc. We have been able to secure capital through utility incentives, federal grants, and crowdfunding which have enabled us to provide most of our projects to our clients at zero, or very low, costs.

Why does BRS install Yaskawa - Solectria Solar inverters?

For us, Yaskawa - Solectria Solar inverters represent a trifecta of value: features, value, and efficiency. We trust the company and its products. It is great knowing that they have been manufacturing electronics and drives for 100 years and are still looking to the future.

How does Yaskawa-Solectria Solar add value for BRS clients?

Features and bankability are most important to our customers. Both BRS and our customers enjoy using the SolrenView monitoring portal to keep an eye on system performance. It is also very important to our customers that the company is large enough and has the history to honor warranty claims should they arise.

What does BRS value about your partnership with Greentech Renewables?

Greentech Renewables is responsive, helpful, competent, and offers invaluable technical expertise.