Kimolana Case Study
Kimolana Estate required a completely reliable off-grid solar battery power microgrid for a remote valley plantation.
System Size PV
52.48 kWp
Storage
190kWh
Inverter
45 kW
Equipment Features
128 REC 410-Watt Alpha Pure Black PV modules
3 Sol-Ark 15 kW inverters with Cummins Automatic Transfer Switch
50 SimpliPhi PHI 3.8 LFP batteries
80-gallon AO Smith heat-pump water heater (w/ air conditioning)
Fireproof battery cabinet
AC Disconnects and DC Disconnects, rapid shutdown equipment
Seamless Generator Integration
Online monitoring software
Client
Kimolana estate is located on the north shore of Kauai, and located in a remote valley. Access to the utility grid is too far away to practically bring utilities to the site. They have invested in a microgrid facility to power the whole plantation.
There are three buildings on the property, a newly constructed home, an office building, and a barn with upstairs apartment. With plans for a farm with cultivation equipment in the near future.
Our in-house electrical engineering team took the unique project requirements into consideration; power required, completely off-grid requirements, and the corrosion effects on equipment due to proximity to the ocean. The new microgrid facility has been built in its own room in the barn to allow humidity and temperature control. The battery bunker is located adjacent to the microgrid room but along the exterior wall.
Project Gallery
Custom System Requirements
To provide an advanced roof mount off-grid solar battery power microgrid at the Kaplan Estate.
After careful consideration, REC PV modules were specified due to their high efficiency and extended product warranty; allowing for more power generation and financial savings per square foot.
Because the project is close to the ocean, corrosion was a consideration in the installation. We chose to put the inverters in a closed room with a heat pump. We knew the inverter room had to be airconditioned for longevity and corrosion protection.
Inverter heat mitigation was handled through ventilation control and co-generation of hot water for the barn apartment. We used a heat-pump water heater to remove hot air from the inverters and produce air conditioning for the inverter room. Solar Plus is the authorized service provider for Sol-ark inverters in Hawaii.
The fireproof battery cabinet was constructed by pour in place concrete with an additional fireproof inner layer.
There is a backup power integration into the system, a 50kW Cummins propane generator with automated start and transfer programming.
The system will support electric car charging.
The system comes with a phone and computer-based monitoring app. The Wi-Fi connection allows online 24/7 monitoring and programming from a remote source. Solar Plus can respond quickly to any problem and optimize the solar system online over time.
10-year Operation & Maintenance agreement that includes real-time monitoring and manufacture warranties.
Project Build Overview
