U.S. Drake Plastics Achieves 30% Energy Offset with Trina Solar's 1.3 MW PV System

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 11, Trina Solar disclosed that the 1.3 MW commercial and industrial photovoltaic system installed at U.S. specialty plastics manufacturer Drake Plastics has been in operation for approximately eight months and now covers about 30% of the combined electricity demand of its new headquarters and manufacturing facility. The project is located in Cypress, Texas, and was commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The system consists of rooftop PV arrays and a customized solar carport. Trina Solar supplied the Vertex N series modules, while Spear Commercial & Industrial handled engineering, procurement, and construction. The project took approximately six months from contract signing to commissioning.

The project utilizes NEG19RC.20 Vertex N modules featuring N-type TOPCon cell technology. Given the limited available area on the rooftop and parking zones, as well as the high-temperature environment along the Gulf Coast, the modules' power density and low temperature coefficient were leveraged to increase power generation per unit area while reducing the need for balance-of-system components.

Operational data shows that the system's daytime power output typically equals 120% of the factory's afternoon electricity load. This period coincides with both Drake Plastics' peak production electricity demand and peak demand on the local grid, allowing surplus power after on-site consumption to be fed into the grid. The construction target of covering 30% of combined electricity demand has now been achieved.

According to Trina Solar's published calculations, the project's internal rate of return is expected to approach 20%, with a payback period of less than four years. The system is expected to reduce approximately 719 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The module array of the solar carport is designed to spell out "DRAKE," providing shaded parking for employees and visitors while being recognizable from the air by flights approaching Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.