Hello,
I work for an NGO. In this project we will provide a good PV system to an Amazon Tribe which currently has a really crappy 12V system. I have to buy a solar system from a PV supplier in the middle of Amazon Forest and I would like a second opinion to be sure I get it right.
We rely solely on donations so cost optimization is necessary. The Off-Grid system for now includes:
Has anyone designed or followed an off grid PV system (around 2-3kW) in remote areas? Any tips/vendor/product/configuration to suggest?
Any project, drawing file to share?
Some key considerations:
Markhaus
I work for an NGO. In this project we will provide a good PV system to an Amazon Tribe which currently has a really crappy 12V system. I have to buy a solar system from a PV supplier in the middle of Amazon Forest and I would like a second opinion to be sure I get it right.
We rely solely on donations so cost optimization is necessary. The Off-Grid system for now includes:
- ConextSW2524 Inverter/Charger (2500W)
- Schneider MPPT 60-150 Charge controller
- 9x Canadian Solar Polycrystalline 330W Solar Panel (CS6U-330P) connected in three parallel strings of three PV panels each: Do I need a combiner box or can I get away with MC4 parallel connectors? The max fuse rating is about 15A for the panel so I think I need a Combiner box. In that case is better to buy a pre-made one or it is better to commission it to my electrician?
- 6x sealed LA batteries Heliar Freedom DF4000 (220Ah and 12V). Connected in three parallel string of two batteries each (I do not like to have LA batteries in parallel but I have no other option to reach about 7kWh with 50%DOD for a 24V system).
At 2500W in a 24V system the inverter will drain 105A from the batteries (!!). That is ok or it is dangerous? Having three set of two-batteries in parallel that means about 35A ampere for each string (C5). The system will rarely need 2500W (most likely it will go around 1000W so I will stay around C10 for the batteries). In any case I was thinking to have a 40A breaker on each battery "string" to avoid eccessive current drain.
Has anyone designed or followed an off grid PV system (around 2-3kW) in remote areas? Any tips/vendor/product/configuration to suggest?
Any project, drawing file to share?
Some key considerations:
- I preferred a 24V system instead of 48V because I do not trust that the users will respect proper electrical safe behaviour near the system.
- Schneider seems to provide the best equilibrium between cost and quality. Is this brand reliable? Since this system operates in remote area, it is mandatory that is a robust design.
- Since Redundance is paramount, I would have preferred to split the system in two systems of 1500W but the cost would be considerably higher.
- The best way would be Lithium batteries but they are not practical to transport in the amazon forest. The village has "easy" access to stationary sealed LA batteries so I will just stick with those.
Markhaus
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