The solar and storage power plant at Agri-Industrial Plastics Company was the first installation in Iowa to combine solar with Tesla Powerpack energy storage technology for peak shaving. 

The power plant features a 517 kW roof-mounted solar array, which works in tandem with a 212 kW Tesla Powerwall battery energy storage system. During the day, the solar panels generate energy that charges the powerwall and powers the company’s advanced manufacturing operations. The battery system runs on an AI-optimized control system to automatically discharge at times of high energy usage (or peak demand) to avoid or reduce costly demand charges.

This power plant gives Agri-Industrial Plastics Company greater control, efficiency, and reliability in managing expensive electrical peaks. With 6,000+ manufacturing businesses in Iowa representing more than 18% of the state’s GPD, our project sets the example of how the manufacturing industry can control energy costs and increase sustainable business practices with advanced energy technology.