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Mathis Brothers Irvine: Replacing a Commercial Generator with a Tesla Megapack Commercial Energy Storage System

Commercial Case Study

Mathis Brothers, Irvine ESS
Irvine, CA

Challenge

Mathis Brothers Furniture, with their home office based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, partnered with HES Renewables in a California pilot program for a solar + energy storage system at its Indio, California showroom. The commercial solar system with a Tesla Megapack was built in a microgrid arrangement so that the solar project was able to operate independently from the grid – effectively creating off-grid solar for a commercial building during times of a black out. With a successful HES Renewables solar + storage system powering the Indio facility, the Mathis Brothers Team engaged HES Renewables to replace a diesel generator with a Tesla Megapack at their Irvine, California showroom. 

The Irvine facility already had a solar system installed by a Los Angeles-based solar company; this solar project had been completed before Mathis Brothers had been introduced to HES Renewables. When the time came to incorporate a Tesla energy system into this existing solar system, the Mathis Brothers team engaged HES Renewables to make the switch from generator back-up to a Tesla Energy Storage System (ESS).  

Solution

The HES Renewables designers factored the solar system’s output and the business’ grid energy useand specified the Tesla Megapack with the ideal capacity and output performance. The existing diesel generator and its concrete pad were removed, then the HES Renewables mechanical and electric crews installed the 1,087 kWh Tesla Megapack. The commercial energy storage system was built with microgrid functionality, just like the Indio location’s system, to allow the solar panels to continue producing electricity even when the power grid is down. 

To optimize the financial benefits of the project, the Tesla Megapack was designed to charge and discharge daily to lower the energy bills’ demand charges. By modeling the system’s future performance, the HES Renewables team recommended a change to the location’s Southern California Edison (SCE) billing plan’s Option selection which nearly doubled the financial savings. 

Customer Benefit

With the storage system set to discharge energy to the showroom during peak usage times, the business’ electric bills will be reduced by an estimated $82,900 annually. The Mathis Brothers Irvine showroom also gains the ability to operate off-grid and remain open for business during protracted grid outages. The electric bill savings, combined with the added predictability of energy costs over the following decades, allows the Mathis Brothers team to dedicate more budget toward growing the business. Also, in today’s retail environment, the switch to a green energy source provides a strong marketing message for the Mathis Brothers brand. 

With the Tesla Energy System charged 75%+ by renewable energy, Mathis Brothers received the full Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for the cost of the energy storage project. Combined with federal and state depreciation incentives, the initial cost to switch from diesel back-up to a commercial battery were greatly reduced.

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“Going way beyond just the money saved, a solar with energy storage project instantly increases a company’s independence. Our clients are able to more accurately budget their resources for future planning and growth. Years ago, when I first saw the value of solar, I was hooked: it saves money, lowers the business’ carbon footprint, brings federal and state incentives, and puts a shine on a company’s image that more and more consumers and business partners are expecting.”

Ross Williams, President and CEO, HES Renewables

Quick Facts

  • 272 kW / 1,087 kWh
    Storage Capacity
  • Tesla Megapack
    Storage System
  • ESS Retrofit to Existing Solar System
    Installation Type
  • $82,900
    Estimated Annual Savings from Storage Alone
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We are a San Diego-based solar energy production and energy storage installation company. We have been an energy innovator since 2001 and can handle projects from solar-only arrays to micro-grid solar and storage systems with on-site EV charging stations. 

If you’re looking into the benefits of on-site energy production, energy storage, or EV Charging capability, we’d love to speak with you. We’ll show you how to lower and stabilize energy costs, receive the maximum incentives, open new revenue streams, and gain control over one of the largest expenses of your business or commercial property. 

Click here to be contacted by an HES Renewables representative, or simply dial us at 866-HES-RNEW (866-437-7639).

Robert Laverty

Senior Energy Consultant, Residential

Robert Laverty joined the HES team in the summer of 2018, bringing his ten years of solar design experience and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound with him. Robert is dedicated to finding solutions to help families produce and store electricity in order to reduce their reliance on grid power as well as help reduce their household’s carbon footprint. Robert’s experience as a newspaper editor as well as his involvement with the sustainability-focused Rocky Mountain Institute drives him to constantly seek out innovative ways to meet energy needs through renewable resources as well as helps him share those ideas with Southern California homeowners. When not at work or volunteering time with his church or community, Robert spends time with his wife and two sons or pursues his passion of fly fishing.

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