QAZAQ GREEN.  “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” The quote is said to come from Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors of all time. Almost 100 years after his death, his vision is coming true right where he was born: on the roof of the Edison Birthplace Museum in Milan, Ohio, 19 all-black Meyer Burger Black modules are now providing green electricity.

The Edison home solar project, with a rated capacity of 7.13 kilowatt peak, is a collaboration between SolarEdge, Unirac, National Renewable Energy Partners and Meyer Burger. It was made possible by the donations of several forward-thinking solar manufacturers and installers, including SolarEdge, who provided the SolarEdge Home inverter and Power Optimizer solution, Meyer Burger, who provided the rooftop solar panels, as well as Unirac, who donated the solar racking system. National Renewable Energy Partners generously donated their expertise and labor to ensure the seamless installation of all of the most cutting-edge solar technology.

The benefits of this project extend beyond simply saving money on the now-museum’s monthly electric bills. Edison’s birthplace and museum will now offer visitors an opportunity to understand his groundbreaking electricity discoveries in a journey that includes solar. Edison’s solar energy installation will become a staple of the museum itself, and visitors will have the unique opportunity to learn more about Edison’s historic affinity for optimizing and exploring the most efficient, energy sources. Edison’s legacy, as a pioneer in energy innovation, lives on, in his birthplace museum, which is now powered by the sun, a vision he did not live to see, but no doubt would have been inspired to see.

Thomas Edison’s birthplace and museum, in historic Milan, Ohio, is now officially powered by solar energy, paying homage to Edison's monumental contributions to the development and innovation in electricity. To celebrate this monumental, transformative moment, a celebration was held today, and in attendance were not only Edison’s relatives and family but also the honorable Mayor, Pam Crosby.