Grow Ops: Benefits of Running Generators in Parallel
As the cannabis industry continues to grow, there is no mistaking the importance of using commercial generators in grow ops. There are many grow ops that have begun utilizing commercial generators as a sole power source, but there has been a split – use a bigger generator or use multiple, smaller generators?
There are tradeoffs that need to be considered, such as give up a little more real-estate to place more, smaller generators or maintain that bit of real-estate and install one massive generator?
The Factors
- Grow lights draw large amounts of power
- The general rule of thumb is 1,000 amps for every 10,000 feet
- Light cycles determine how many generators need to be on at a time due to the required load demand
Benefits of Smaller Generators
Installing multiple smaller generators and having them run in parallel requires more space, but provides redundancy, longer intervals between maintenance periods, and overall lower fuel costs. Due to running the generators in parallel, there is also the advantage of running less generators together at once time due to varying demands in load.
For example, say you have a grow op that requires a generator with a 300 kW power rating to operate at 100%.
Installing a single, 300 kW generator would require you to shut off the generator during periods of generator service & maintenance, grinding your operations to a halt.
By installing 6, smaller 50 kW generators, you would always have at least around 84% of your generator needs available during any generator service and maintenance shutdowns.
There would also be lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs, due to only running a certain number of generators during specific load cycles.
Installing multiple smaller commercial generators in parallel gives you the benefit of running automatically, by turning on or off in accordance with load demands. Generators that run in parallel communicate with one another via a control switch. When load demands decrease, the controller decides how many generators need to run in order to meet that demand. The same goes in effect for the opposite, when load demand increases.
Additional benefits of running generators in parallel can be found here:
Logic of Running Generators in Parallel
The Woodstock Power Company Experience
We have industry experts that focus on commercial backup power generator sets, with in-depth industry knowledge to help you choose the right generator that fits your needs.
Our experts are ready to assist you from answering any questions you may have about power generator sets to helping you find the best selection in our inventory based on:
- Peak & Average Power Requirements
- Fuel Preference (Natural Gas or Diesel)
- Portability & Stationary Power
- Prime & Standby Generator Requirements
- Available Space & Exhaust Restrictions
Our experts are also able to help coach you on prime, continuous, and standby power generators, as well as finding the best surplus, new, or used generator that best fits your required application.
We carry only the most top rated new, used, and surplus power generator sets for sale, providing you with a great value generator that will fit your budget.
Our generators have been thoroughly inspected, serviced, and verified, which ensures that you will be buying a quality generator that you can depend on. If a generator is not up to par with industry standards, we make all necessary repairs or modifications, and fully test every generator before we sell. This ensures a full turnkey generator that’s ready to fire up and go!
Due to our wide selection of generator sets, we’re confident that we can find the model that best suits your operational needs.
We also buy used generators in good quality, if you have already upgraded and you’re looking to sell your older model.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or inquiries to learn more about the Woodstock Power Company experience and the quality level of products & services we provide.