Case Study: Rockford Solar Partners achieves lower solar energy costs with Eaton utility-scale electrical BOS solutions

Eaton helps Rockford, Illinois solar plant propel grid parity

Eaton provided electrical balance of system (BOS) equipment to Rockford Solar Partners for a large-scale solar farm at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. The challenge was to maximize energy yield while controlling installation costs and ensuring reliable operation for the project's economic feasibility, all while working within the environmental constraints of a floodplain.

The Eaton solution included a skidless Power Xpert Solar 1500 kW inverter station and other BOS components. This reduced installation time by 50%, cut wiring losses by a factor of two to approximately 1%, and decreased maintenance needs. The system was completed ahead of schedule and achieved a high availability rate of over 99%, helping to lower the overall cost of solar energy for the project.