Refurbished Batteries Supply Off-grid Power to California Preserve

Nestled in the Ojai foothills in Ventura County, California, Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve is a 264-acre property stewarded by the non-profit Conservation Endowment Fund. It was founded in 1981 by John Taft with a mission to educate the public about its environmental heritage, preserve endangered resources and explore the relationship between humans and their environment. 

In addition to its cultivated South African, Australian and developing California gardens, Taft has more than 200 acres of stewarded open space that acts as a wildlife corridor. California Gray Fox, Mule Deer, Bobcat and hundreds of other species that find safe haven on the property. 

Thanks to a four-person staff and a handful of volunteers, Taft Gardens welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is able to host ongoing education events and activities. 

One of those dedicated staff members is Alexandra Upton who serves as the visitor and restoration coordinator. In her role, she handles guest relations, events and the planting of an oak woodland ecosystem restoration project. Alexandra recruited her husband, Cash, to volunteer his time. 

In his “day job,” Cash designs and sells solar for Brighten Solar, based in Santa Barbara. When Taft Gardens needed help designing an off-grid system to supply power to its welcome kiosks and gift shop, he was an obvious choice. The nonprofit had previously used batteries but, with 10-plus years of life on them, they were no longer functioning reliably. 

Cash reached out to Briggs & Stratton with a request for equipment. The company responded by donating three refurbished SimpliPHI^Ⓡ 6.6 batteries that provide nearly 20kWh. 

“Having power at our guest check-in kiosk makes it a smoother and more efficient process,” says Jaide Whitman, executive director of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve. “In addition, it saves us from having to rely on spotty mobile reception for gift shop transactions.”  

The batteries were installed just a few months ago and have reliably been providing power to outlets, lights, a Starlink internet connection and small register.

“I completed the installation of the batteries and wiring to the Sol-Ark^Ⓡ inverter, and I must say it was probably the easiest and quickest battery I've ever built,” says Kyle Maness with Mesa Electric.

For more than a decade, Briggs & Stratton has had a battery recycling and refurbishment program. When used batteries come back, they go through a comprehensive process. Technicians first test each battery to evaluate its remaining capacity and overall condition. Batteries that pass the initial testing undergo comprehensive refurbishment and are put through rigorous safety checks. Once a battery is refurbished, it is re-tested to ensure that it meets specific performance standards

“We’re always looking to give batteries a “second life’ and were delighted to help Taft Gardens by supplying high-functioning equipment to them,” says Sequoya Cross, vice president of energy storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions. “We’ve been donating systems to nonprofits around the world for over 10 years and this time we got to help out an organization that’s close to home.”

Three refurbished Briggs & Stratton^Ⓡ SimpliPHI^Ⓡ 6.6 batteries were donated to Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve and now provide power for outlets, lights, a Starlink internet connection and small register at the nonprofit’s welcome kiosks and gift shop.