Sierra Vista Case Study

Alpha Energy
Phone: 602 997 1007
Email: alpha@alpha.com

ProductsRenewable EnergyOff-Grid Solar PowerRemote Hybrid Power Supply (HPS) SystemsSierra Vista Case Study

Sierra Vista Case Study

This is the site of a cellular repeater along a remote stretch of highway near Sierra Vista in southeastern Arizona.

Although the grid may one day be installed at this site, it was not when the customer needed power here. Initially the repeater was powered by a 10kW Onan propane generator. Running this generator 24/7 required an inordinate amount of generator maintenance and fuel. It was costing over $21,000 annually to power the 250W continuous load. That’s why Alpha Energy was called. Alpha had the perfect solution — a hybrid power system or HPS. This HPS is now saving about $20,000 per year and will pay for itself in roughly 2 years.

The HPS24-900/1500 combines two power sources (photovoltaic or PV and engine generator) with energy storage (battery bank) to provide 24/7 high reliability power. The PV array delivers over 75% of the total energy consumed by the repeater and, in combination with the battery bank, reduces the generator run time from 8760 hours per year to less than 200 hours per year! This in turn allows for a smaller, lighter duty generator to be used…one that consumes much less fuel per energy unit produced.

HPS24-900/1500

General Specifications
System Voltage:	24Vdc
Maximum Customer Load:	300W (DC) continuous
PV Array:	(6) BP Solar SX150 modules (900W, 24VDC)
Generator:	(1) Kohler COM-6 (6kW, 24Vdc, variable speed 1800 to 3600rpm, propane)
Battery Bank:	(12) AIP OPzS–1500 (Flooded, 1500Ah, 24Vdc)
Weight:	5400lbs
Temperature Range:	-4 to 104˚F
System Maintenance:	Once Every 3 to 6 Months (generator and batteries)

Document Downloads

Title	Type	Version	Date
Hybrid Power System - Sierra Vista Case Study	Case Study	049-216-14-004	November 30, 2009