Responding to increased demand for Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) equipment, Matrix Energy Inc announces it has designed and supplied a 7.4 kWp Stand-Alone PV system for integration into an existing diesel generator power system in central Quebec. This project follows the 17.6 kWp PV system, also for integration into a diesel generator power system, Matrix designed and supplied to the Government of Quebec in 2010.

Matrix Energy worked with engineering firm Poly-Energie during the system design phase, and received an order for the specified equipment from a Quebec City real estate firm. The end user, whose home is located several hundred KM north of Chicoutimi and not served by Hydro Quebec, was tired of hearing the generator run almost continuously and wanted to reduce maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) costs associated with it. The system was supplied in August, and Matrix technical personnel are supporting electricans Drycore Electrique Quebec during the installation and commissioning phase which is currently underway. The system was transported in sections to the installation site by helicopter.

The system supplied comprises forty, 185 Wp high performance Kyocera polycrystalline solar modules, IronRidge mounts, a 12 kW (AC) of Schneider Electric inverter/charger and a DEKA Solar UNIGY II 116 kWh battery bank. Additionally, it is the first known deployment in Quebec of the new Schneider Electric 80A MPPT solar charge controller, capable of accepting up to 600 VDC on the input to greatly improve energy conversion efficiency, while reducing wire losses and overall cost. The PV array will generate an estimated 8,400 kWh per year of clean solar electricity. The array will charge the system’s batteries when sunlight is available while a back-up generator will automatically start should the batteries become overly discharged during extended periods of inclement weather or higher than normal energy loads.

PV / Diesel hybrid power systems in Off-Grid applications are gaining in popularity in remote areas. Such systems provide impressive IRR’s resulting from significant MRO cost reductions, while other benefits include reduction of generator noise and GHG emission pollution, improved overall system reliability and redundancy. “Rising fuel and transportation costs coupled with the reduction in prices for crystalline solar modules”, explains Andrew Wilkins, Account Manager at Matrix Energy, “means PV systems of all types are increasingly being deployed across Canada”.

About Matrix Energy Inc: 
Matrix Energy (www.matrixenergy.ca) offers a variety of Value-Added Services for complete Stand Alone (Autonomous) Power Systems to supply DC and/or AC loads for telemetry, solar LED lighting, road and rail traffic signaling, telecommunications, remote homes & cottages and other applications requiring electrical power where conventional utility power is unavailable or cost prohibitive.

For further information contact:

Matrix Energy Inc
Toll free: 1 866 630-5630
Tel: (514) 630-5630
Fax: (514) 426-9123
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