DHE's solar-powered microgrid powers electric equipment, building and still has a '50-60% surplus'

A 70-year-old trucking company may be offering a glimpse into the future with a solar charging system that can use repurposed lithium-ion batteries to power their building and charge their electric trucks, their employees’ cars and other equipment.

As part of the Volvo LIGHTS project, Dependable Highway Express (CCJ Top 250, No. 124) in Ontario, Calif. installed more than 2,300 roof-mounted solar panels that provide an estimated 1.29 GWh of electricity each year.

The ROI payback period for DHE's solar-powered microgrid in Ontario, Calif. is estimated at 5.2 years.DHE“We are currently charging—with solar renewable energy five days a week—four heavy-duty Volvo electric VNRs, two yard tractors, fourteen forklifts and two employee (plug-in hybrid electric) Prius cars as well as generating the total kWh used by our facility and still have a surplus of kWh,” said Troy Musgrave, DHE’s director of process improvement. 

Surplus power, in turn, is sold to their utility. 

“Based on the initial data (two months) I am positive on our decision to invest in solar and eager to explore microgrid solutions to support increased energy demand, managed supply and cost,” Musgrave continued.

DHE is currently using new lithium-ion batteries for energy storage and plans on eventually adding batteries from their equipment when they’re no longer suitable for powertrain use, which typically occurs when the batteries reach roughly 80% charge capacity.