The Grove Event Center in Redlands, CA is a dual-purpose venue—an active orange grove and a charming location for weddings and private events. As the facility looked to enhance its energy reliability and reduce utility costs, it began implementing a phased microgrid solution.
Phase 1 of the project involved the installation of a solar PV system to offset a portion of the facility's daytime load. However, due to the interconnect agreement in place, the site is not allowed to export energy back to the grid. To comply, Generac’s ARC microgrid control system actively curtails PV production in real-time whenever generation exceeds the on-site load, ensuring the solar powered microgrid operates within regulatory limits.
The ARC controller's integrated microgrid software logs detailed load and performance data over a period of several months. This data is then used to accurately size additional solar and battery storage capacity for microgrid energy resilience. The ultimate goal is to enable the facility to island from the grid and provide seamless backup power during weddings and other high-profile events.
This evolving advanced microgrid project illustrates how venues like The Grove can incrementally build toward full energy independence—while balancing solar, storage, and regulatory compliance in a dynamic operating environment.
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Phase 1
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SMA Tripower 24000TL-US (1)
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Solar PV array (1)
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Phase 2
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Energy Storage (1)
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SMA PV Inverter (1)
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SEL-751 Protective Relay
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