Photovoltaics now power the birthplace of Thomas Edison

Doug Letterman

Thomas Edison’s birthplace and museum in Milan, Ohio, is now solar-powered, a tribute to Edison’s monumental contributions to the development and innovation of electricity.

The Edison Home Solar Project was made possible through donations from several solar manufacturers and installers, including SolarEdge, which provided the SolarEdge Home inverter and Power Optimizer solution; Meyer Burger, which provided rooftop solar panels; and Unirac, which donated a photovoltaic racking system. National renewable energy partners generously contributed expertise and manpower to ensure seamless installation of all the latest solar technologies.

The benefits of this project go beyond simple savings on the museum’s monthly electricity bills. Edison’s birthplace and museum will now offer visitors the opportunity to understand his groundbreaking discoveries in electricity on a journey that includes solar energy. Edison’s solar energy installation will become a centerpiece of the museum itself, and visitors will have a unique opportunity to learn more about Edison’s historic passion for optimizing and discovering the most efficient sources of energy.

The inspiration for this project was Ron Cull, a board member of the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum. He wanted to integrate solar energy into this landmark to enhance and replicate Edison’s visionary work on the evolution of electricity.

“By incorporating solar energy into the museum’s framework, we not only support sustainability, but also enrich the history of electricity, from its origins to modern applications,” Cull said.

New from SolarEdge