Lasqueti Island – Off-grid
Objective
Provide this off-grid community with a power system for their health centre, internet society and elder cottages.
The Solution
Small Planet Energy Inc. was excited to be contacted by the Lasqueti Island Last Resort Society to do this micro-grid installation. The first step was a site visit when the services building was at the foundation planning stage. This is where the power system was to be installed. We met with some of the head volunteers and discussed their vision. Data was collected from the site, measurements were taken for the feeders to the various buildings, a solar analysis was completed and we were provided with a detailed load analysis. With all of that information, we designed a system that would meet the current and future needs of the community. Within a couple of months, the building was roofed and ready for solar. We think this is a considerable accomplishment, considering all of their labour was done by volunteers and that they are on an off-grid island, with no vehicle ferry.
The volunteers managed to get much of the equipment donated, including 13.2kw of solar modules. These were donated by Trina solar, and were used to design the power system for the site. A 13.2kw AC coupled solar PV system with a 116kwh Rolls battery bank. The solar modules were AC coupled to the system by way of 2-7kw SunnyBoy inverters and the grid was provided by 2-6kw SunnyIsland inverters. An energy monitoring system was also installed to monitor the energy consumption of the individual buildings.
With some creative thinking, we were able to overcome all of the usual obstacles that remote projects often entail , completing the installation on schedule and on budget. Small Planet would like to thank the friendly people of Lasqueti for providing accommodations, meals and taking such good care of us during our stay.
Equipment Used
- SMA SunnyBoy inverters
- SMA SunnyIsland inverters
- Trina solar modules
- Rolls batteries