Gas Station Solar Power Is Happening, And A US Startup is On It

The article discusses the emerging trend of installing solar power systems at gas stations, highlighting the role of the California-based startup Enphase in advancing this market. Despite seeming contradictory, gas stations are well-suited for rooftop solar due to their large, unobstructed roofs and parking lots. Solar installations can reduce electricity costs, provide backup power during outages, and enable gas stations to benefit from off-peak electricity rates. Enphase promotes its IQ8™ microinverters as ideal for these installations, emphasizing their safety features—such as eliminating high-voltage DC wiring risks and including rapid shutdown capabilities—which are particularly important in the hazardous environment of gas stations. Enphase has already seen significant adoption of its technology overseas, especially in Southeast Asia, where hundreds of gas stations, including Shell and PTT franchises, have installed its systems. The company is also expanding its presence in the U.S., citing a Texas gas station project that uses a 49-kilowatt solar array with Enphase microinverters to offset