SOLAR POWERED OFF GRID CLASSROOM

Off Grid School Classroom

Bright Green Energy - Off Grid Power Systems for study classrooms

Bright Green Energy was commissioned to supply, design and install the power system for a newly built, remote eco classroom and study.  The brief was very specific. The classroom was being built within the grounds of the school, but on the edge of a forest.  The site was unsuitable for using a wind turbine and diesel generators were not allowed.  The solution had to be solar only feeding into batteries and the backup system had to be able to run silently in the background. We opted to install a fuel cell.

View towards the superb Eco classroom and Study	Close up of open classroom study area
View towards roof mounted solar pv system	View towards roof mounted solar pv system
Close up of solar array	View looking towards rear of solar array
Looking up towards solar array	Inverter and controls

We started off by visiting the location of the new classroom to gain a better understanding of the location as well as learn more about the appliances being used within the classroom/study area.

We went away and designed a system based upon the LOAD REQUIREMENTS of the classroom. After checking over the details with the company designing the classroom, we then proceeded to work out the actual power and and balance of system components.  As the system was to be powered only by solar modules, we had to carefully analyse the year-round solar insolation values to enable us to work out what the number of type of solar panels required before building the solar array.  However, before we did that, we needed to know the number and type of batteries required to be able to power the load. We choose GEL batteries due to their long life and deep cycle capability. Note: it was decided not to use wet lead-acid batteries for safety reasons.  Next, we calculated the number of solar panels required to provide the appropriate charging current to the batteries that power the load. STECA solar controllers were chosen to control the flow of current from the solar panels to the battery. Mains supply was provided by a Victron inverter fed directly from the batteries.

Due to the low levels of solar insolation, some appliances are left switched off when not required, and to ensure that critical appliances must be able to operate at all times, we installed an EFOY fuel cell that would automatically re-charge the batteries in the event that that solar panels are unable to keep the batteries charged.

Our system has now been running for over 2 years and has remained problem free! 

We offer a customised design service and are able to design a system that meets your exact needs.