Drake Plastics Deploys 1.3-MW Solar Carport Spelling Company Name, Visible to Houston Airport Traffic
Key Takeaways
- •Drake Plastics' 1.3-MW solar system has offset 30% of the company's total energy consumption within eight months of becoming operational.
- •The installation generates up to 120% of the facility's afternoon power needs, feeding surplus electricity to the ERCOT grid during peak-demand periods.
- •The project is projected to achieve an internal rate of return of nearly 20% with a payback period of under four years.
- •Trinasolar supplied its Vertex N modules for the combined rooftop and carport system, which was installed by Spear Commercial & Industrial.
- •The carport array was creatively arranged to spell out the word "Drake," creating a branded landmark visible to air traffic approaching Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport.
A distinctive solar installation at Drake Plastics in Cypress, Texas, has been operational for eight months and is already delivering on the polymer manufacturer's goal of offsetting 30% of its overall energy consumption. The project reflects a broader trend of energy-intensive industrial manufacturers in Texas turning to on-site solar to rein in electricity costs and hedge against price volatility on the state's ERCOT grid.
Trinasolar supplied its Vertex N solar modules for the 1.3-MW combined rooftop and carport system. The carport array was arranged to spell out the word "Drake," transforming the installation into both a renewable energy asset and a branded statement. The design is clearly visible to the heavy air traffic passing over the Drake complex on approach to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Spear Commercial & Industrial led the installation.
"Trina's Vertex N modules let the system maximize solar energy generation despite the constrained footprint of the rooftop and carport design," said Mark Rangel, executive vice president of Spear. "We're pleased that it provides Drake a very attractive rate of return in a short payback period and satisfies their energy objectives cost-effectively. And we enjoyed working with Drake to inject some creativity into the project by using the modules to display a highly visible brand statement."
During daytime hours, the PV system's output typically reaches 120% of Drake Plastics' afternoon power consumption — a period that coincides with both the company's peak loads and peak demand on the grid. That alignment is notable because ERCOT's highest-demand periods typically occur during summer afternoons, when industrial users face some of the highest wholesale electricity prices of the year.
The system is projected to deliver an internal rate of return (IRR) of nearly 20%, with a payback period of under four years.
"The new solar installation fulfills several important goals," said Steve Quance, president of Drake Plastics. "It aligns precisely with our mission statement commitment to be good stewards of our environment and an asset to our community. Our solar plant puts power into the grid when it is needed the most — doing the right thing never goes out of style. It also tracks with our 'Lean' ethos to eliminate waste and inefficiency; the direct power offset provides cost benefits that help Drake compete and grow."
