Frequently Asked Questions

What types of solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage projects
does JCD Energy focus on?

We focus primarily on large commercial and small utility scale projects (2 MW+), providing pre-construction development and owner's rep services to land-owners, rural electric cooperatives, generation and transmission providers and project investors.  Our role is to mitigate risks, bring together all required components for a successful project, and guide our clients through the development process.

Does JCD Energy offer construction services?

Is JCD Energy (formerly Melink Solar Development) a subsidiary of Melink Solar
or Melink Corporation?

JCD Energy (formerly Melink Solar Development) is independently owned and operated, focusing exclusively on pre-construction development and owner's rep services.  Melink Solar, which also spun off from Melink Corporation, is a trusted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner directly serving project owners.

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To view Melink Solar's products and services, please visit their website at www.melinksolar.com

How long do solar PV and battery energy storage systems work?

Solar panels are warranted by manufacturers to last 25-30 years. Considering the panels themselves have no moving parts, they can continue producing enough energy to cover operating costs for up to 40 years or more. Inverters, the equipment that changes the DC power produced by the solar system into the AC power that our appliances and buildings use, have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. After that point, it is expected that new inverters will be installed to take advantage of the remaining life of the panels.  Battery energy storage systems generally offer a customizable warranty, depending on the use case and frequency of dispatch, but can operate for a useful life of up to 20 years or more. 

What manufacturers does JCD Energy specify?

Are there different chemistry options for battery energy storage systems?

Yes.  Lithium ion battery systems are most common but, within the lithium subclass, there are several different options for chemistry which impact the energy density, cycle life, and operating characteristics of the system.  Our team can help you understand the options available and select the one to best meet your needs.

Are solar PV or battery energy storage systems cost prohibitive technologies?

Solar PV and battery energy storage systems are mature technologies which are cost competitive and easily adaptable to existing sites. The cost of solar PV or battery energy storage systems are contingent upon the type, size and physical location of the project.  After construction, the cost to operate and maintain solar PV and battery energy storage systems are typically much less than the cost to operate and maintain fossil fuel power generation assets.

Our knowledge of numerous financing structures available from national financial institutions, as well as non-traditional lenders, is part of what sets JCD Energy apart from other developers.   We work closely with our clients to determine the most advantageous financing structure for each project.  

Do solar PV or battery energy storage systems require a major upfront cost?

Not necessarily.  A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or Energy Service Agreement (ESA) with a reputable finance providers can offset any upfront cost.  PPA's and ESA's allow the client to purchase the electricity delivered by the system at a fixed rate over 20-25 years. The finance provider pays to construct the system and then owns it long term. This agreement benefits power consumers, rural electric cooperatives and generation-transmission providers, as the cost of the electricity delivered by the system can be lower than that supplied by the open market. The contract also allows power consumers, rural electric cooperatives and generation-transmission providers to hedge against long-term energy cost inflation risk. Such an agreement does not appear as an ongoing liability on the purchaser's financial statements. 

A great example of a solar PPA is the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, a Melink Solar project in 2011. You can view the Cincinnati Zoo Solar Video on our customer testimonial page.

States with the greatest solar resources, such as Texas, California, Arizona, Hawaii and New Mexico, are the states in which solar PV is typically the most efficient. While those states make sense from a solar resource perspective, solar PV is also cost competitive in other places, including Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Although the solar resource is lower in the Northeast region of the country, those states typically have high costs of power from traditional providers. And there can be financial incentives available through state legislation.

If I connect a solar PV and battery energy storage system to my building, will I still have power if the grid goes out?

Systems utilizing battery storage in conjunction with solar PV can be designed to safely disconnect from the grid in the event of a power outage, thus continuing to supply power until the utility grid is restored.  That type of microgrid can provide valuable resiliency benefits for the system owner.  Larger microgrids serving all power consumers on a distribution circuit can also be valuable resiliency tools for rural electric cooperatives or generation-transmission providers, while also providing important cost savings from avoided capacity charges.