Serving:

Community Utility Military

 

Community

Making a Big Impact on Our Environment,
Our Economy and Our Communities


Bringing renewable energy into your neighborhood offers reliable power for your home, cleaner air and water for your community, and creates quality jobs to strengthen your local economy. SunWave systems are a choice to bring clean, reliable electricity to your community.

Learn more about Petra Solar and how smart solar energy benefits communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are SunWave Systems?

Petra Solar’s core product, the SunWave™ system, is unique and innovative. Each SunWave system is equipped with a solar panel that converts sunlight into electricity that can be used by local businesses and homes. SunWave systems also have a ‘brain’, or a Smart Energy Module (SEM). The SEM can relay information to help your utility company prevent and control blackouts and other power problems.
By combining distributed solar energy generation with Smart Grid communications and improved grid reliability features, the SunWave system creates a premium utility grade solution that delivers one of the lowest lifetime economic costs for solar energy.

What do SunWaves look like?

SunWaves are about 5 feet wide by 2.5 feet high, weigh about 60 pounds and generate about 220 watts of electricity. 

How do SunWave Systems work?

Each SunWave system features a solar panel that converts sunlight into electricity. Since the SunWaves are right next to the homes and businesses they power, no electricity is lost in transmission.
The brain of the system, the Smart Energy Module (SEM), turns the DC electricity into AC electricity, like the power in your wall outlets. The SEM also has a wireless radio and sensors that put critical data into the hands of the utility companies – energy being generated by the solar units PLUS critical information like voltage levels on the power lines give your power utility greater visibility into the condition and operation of the electric grid near your home. 
The SEM has state-of-the-art technology developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy that will enable the electric grid to heal itself when issues arise. This technology ensures that the power in your home stays dependable

Where can SunWave Systems be installed?

SunWave Systems are installed by utilities on existing assets such as utility and streetlight poles, rooftops, and other available structures. Because of this, the units do not use precious land and therefore does not interfere with plant and animal habitats. No money is required to buy or clear land, or to run new power lines to get the solar energy to customers.
Each unit is easy and safe to install. The racking system which attaches the solar system to the asset was designed by highly trained mechanical engineers to meet or exceed the most stringent requirements of the electric utility industry. The pole attachment structure has also been analyzed by professionally licensed engineers as a testament that it meets the wind and snow/ice load requirements for a respective State.
SunWave systems installed on poles are installed at least 15 feet above the ground, so it’s safe for trucks to pass under and, like other utility equipment, difficult for people to tamper with.
If you have a question or concern about a SunWave system installed in your town, contact your local utility provider.

How is it determined which utility poles the units can be installed on?

The utility company selects poles that offer a clear exposure to the southern sky, access to the proper voltage electric wires and where installation does not interfere with existing equipment on the pole. 

Are SunWave Systems safe?

Yes, the systems went through extensive laboratory testing to ensure its safety. It went through continuous hot and cold temperature cycling, outdoor exposure and high humidity testing to ensure that the SunWave can withstand the elements – both normal and extreme.
Mechanical load testing ensures that the SunWave Systems can withstand wind, snow, and ice loads. 

Is snow/ice build-up on the panels a major concern?

No, snow and/or ice build-up on the panels is not a major concern. First, even a moderate amount of sunshine warms the panels as part of the reaction that creates the solar power. This warming melts some of the snow thus reducing the amount of snow that can accumulate and potentially slide off. Second, the panels are installed at least 15 feet off the ground, which exposes the panels to more wind, which would tend to blow snow off.


These panels are similar to the many other pieces of equipment on the utility poles that are also exposed to winter weather. While we don’t foresee snow and ice build-up as a major issue, a reasonable amount of care should be taken around any overhead structures during extreme snow and ice conditions.

Can the SunWave Systems withstand high winds?

The racking system is designed to withstand wind speeds up to 110MPH. The design is closely analyzed for strength and durability to meet the applicable building codes of the respective location. In addition, the design process includes a testing procedure in which the entire unit is mounted to a pole in a wind tunnel. During this testing the unit is subjected to a wind speed of 110MPH to ensure it can withstand the real environment. The wind direction is rotated 360 degrees around the unit to provide a test from all angles.

Do the SunWave Systems give off emissions?

There are no environmentally harming emissions from the solar panels. The wireless radios are very much like a wireless broadband router in many homes today. In addition they use less energy and transmit at a lower power level than a typical handheld cellular phone

Are the SunWave Systems electrically safe?

The SunWave systems are certified by a third party to meet UL requirements. A single solar panel is only approximately 35 volts which is a very low DC voltage and poses no harm even if a person was to break through the glass and intentionally directly touch the solar cells underneath. The solar system metal parts are all electrically grounded as required by the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) which ensures that the unit is safe to touch if a utility worker were to touch it with bare hands.

What are the environmental benefits of SunWave Systems?

There are many environmental and energy independence benefits of solar generated energy. The energy is produced in a clean, safe and sustainable way, therefore not releasing any pollution or carbon emissions. This helps make our country more energy independent by reducing our reliance on foreign imports. In addition, this helps make our country more energy secure by diversifying our sources of energy, especially in the case of unforeseen natural disasters or increasing fuel prices. 
In addition, by utilizing existing asset, this approach greatly reduces environmental impacts and conserves valuable land.
A 40MW installation each year will power over 6,500 homes, and reduce CO2 emissions by 76 million pounds – the equivalent of taking 8,200 cars off the road. 

What are the benefits of Smart Grid technology?

With a smart grid communication and control infrastructure in place, the electric grid is more reliable for customers. The systems are able to monitor the operation and health of the electric grid and the units by recording how much energy is generated and sending maintenance and repair alerts to the utility control center. With a smarter grid, in the event of a rolling blackout or disaster situations, we could keep the power on in hospitals or elderly centers where it’s needed for critical life sustaining equipment.

What are Petra Solar’s contributions to the economy?

Despite a struggling economy, Petra Solar is increasing jobs and offering a positive contribution to the local economy. By creating its own R&D and manufacturing supply chain, the company has grown from 15 people 175 in just two years. In keeping with the company’s commitment to return ratepayer and taxpayer support, the company will create new manufacturing facilities in jurisdictions in which it does significant business. As a result, major contracts with utilities will result in the creation of jobs to staff local manufacturing operations.

 

About Petra Solar

Petra Solar is committed to serving energy providers with innovative approaches to renewable energy generation – smart, sustainable, reliable and efficient. By combining the power of distributed solar energy solutions with a smart grid communications infrastructure we create a unique product for the utility market.

 

Explore Petra Solar's Smart Energy Solutions

system diagram

Learn how we combine solar and smart grid technologies to enable solar energy deployments to behave like virtual power plants. Use this interactive tool and watch related videos to learn how Petra Solar provides reliable and sustainable solutions for electricity and energy efficiency.

 

Testimonials

"Through this demonstration project, we are exploring the alternative power source offered by SunWave. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable electricity to our customers, and through this effort, we will test a new approach that offers great promise for sustainable, clean energy production."

-Vince Maione, Region President, Atlantic City Electric