Haiti Mission - School

Educational institution - January 2018

We helped this mission significantly reduce their diesel usage by installing some supplemental solar power to help keep their batteries charged as they deal with routine 12 hour-day rolling brownouts due to and under-capacity grid.

Quick Facts

Average Annual Savings

$3,000

Property

Type:: Educational institution

Technology

Type:: Solar PV
Installed:: January 2018
Size of System:: 1.8 kW
Purposes:: To generate electricity

Financial Details

Gross Cost of System:: $12,000
Annual Savings:: $3,000
Additional Financial Notes:: Savings by avoided usage of diesel generator to re-charge battery bank when running without the grid (~ 12 hours-day of grid power is the norm in this part of Haiti).

Professionals & Suppliers

Products:: OutBack Power
Energy Auditors:: Ernie Williams

What You Need to Know

Description:

1.8 KW of PV through an Outback Charge controller. 8 L-16 Trojan batteries and Xantrex 4 KW inverter. System also utilizes sites existing Kubota Diesel 11 KW generator. Typical daytime loads when no missionaries are present are 400-600 watts.

Other Benefits:

Significant reduction in the need to run their diesel generator to keep power supplied to the site 24x7. And a cleaner environment.

Maintenance Requirements:

Watering the batteries & cleaning the panels. Local electrician trained for this during the mission trip.

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

Much less "diesel smell" from not having to run their diesel as much.

My Motivation:

Goodwill and the pleasure of learning a new culture & better understanding their many challenges.

Advice:

Don't assume materials you'd normally expect to be able to get at your local electric supply house to be readily available in places like this.

Experience with Installer:

Very friendly and helpful people who wanted to do the job right.

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