Backgrounder: THE PARAMAKATOI PV SOLAR SYSTEM

GreenHeartTree Energy (GHTE) has taken the initiative to design, engineer, procure, construct and deliver a non-grid connected solar PV micro-grid system for the Paramakatoi Flavours Sun-Dried Tomato Plant. This system is designed taking into consideration the actual climatic data and historical weather patterns of the area.

Our engineers ran multiple simulations to determine the correct system size based on battery storage capacity, solar PV capacity and the predicted electrical loads requested in the Request For Proposal (RFP) by the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST).

The Paramakatoi Flavours system includes 3 solar PV racks or arrays complete with top grade Hanwha Q-Cell Modules and American made, German Engineered Schletter Racks. Adjacent to the solar PV arrays is a small building, shipped from Canada, designed to house the batteries and electronics. The lead-acid batteries are on a pre-assembled custom built battery skid. Each battery comes complete with a visual monitoring float for each cell within every battery. GHTE has included in the shipment additional battery water to ensure the system is maintained using the correct materials and fluids.

The battery inverter, solar PV inverter and a Smart-Transformer will be mounted inside the building on a custom build galvanized steel frame.

AC Coupled MircoGrid System

GHTE has engineered a system that is on the leading edge of technology for microgrid systems. This is an AC coupled system unlike a typical DC coupled one.  Even though they usually include an inverter, most battery-based PV systems are “DC-coupled” meaning the PV array sends DC electricity to the system through a charge controller to the battery bank. That DC power is then drawn from the batteries for the loads, including through a battery-based inverter for AC loads.

AC coupled PV systems are gaining wider support through several battery-based inverter manufacturers. In AC coupled systems, the DC power from the array is first converted to AC by a battery-less inverter, to be used by the AC loads through an AC load panel. Any unused energy is consumed by a separate battery-based inverter that either converts the AC to DC to charge the batteries, or, if it is a grid-tied system, it can also pass through to additional AC loads and/or the grid.

GHTE pre-assembled the entire battery system on a custom built skid and electronic components on a custom steel frame to test and confirm operation prior to shipping. Testing in Canada ensures that when the system arrives in Guyana the ‘bugs’ have been worked out and reduces the installation time on site.

Once the system installation is completed a final quality control review ensures that all check points of the system construction subscribe to our high quality standards. GHTE has provided technical manuals for all components used along with a technical users guide that outlines necessary maintenance check-points, schedules and defined user necessary operating details.

GHTE is providing a top quality system with tier 1 components. The system was engineered and built in Canada and is being introduced for the first time to the Guyana market.

 

For more information:

Contact: Lindsay Davidson

VP, Government and Public Affairs

ldavidson@ghtenergy.ca

Tel: 663-1773