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Matrix Energy Inc. supplies Quebecs first commercial grid-tie system in the province of Quebec for the city of Montreals Eco-centre (residential recycling facility) located in Riviere des Prairies.

The City of Montreal's Eco-centres are user-friendly, community-based facilities where residents can dispose of bulky objects and waste materials, such as furniture or demolition and renovation waste that is not accepted in regular pickups of household garbage or recyclable materials.

A 1.5 kWp solar array installed on the rooftop and a 1.0 kWp wind turbine mounted on a 12-meter pole installed adjacent to the main building will furnish the essential energy required to operate the Eco-centre. Tied to Hydro-Qubec (the first ever for the province) using separate SunTie and Grid-Tie inverters, this systems works in 2 ways. When the system produces more energy than the Eco-centre requires, it will act as a micro-generating station and transmit the surplus energy to the hydro grid. If the system generates less than is needed, the Eco-centre will take the energy it needs from Hydro-Qubec.

Matrix’s grid-tie solar and wind turbine electric system changes DC electricity into useful AC electricity and also sends excess power generated back to the Hydro-Québec. The wind system also includes batteries, providing reliable back-up power during grid power outages. The battery-based inverter allows the Eco-centre to send power back to Hydro-Québec, while also protecting the Eco-centre against power outages. 

Matrix Energy completed the installation and commissioning of Quebecs first ever grid-tie solar electric system complete with battery back-up on a residential home.

This 1 kWp system with 24 kwh of battery back-up was recently installed following the decision, in late 2006, by Hydro-Quebec to allow homeowners the ability to net meter.

The grid-tie system will generate about 12,000 kwh annually and the 24 kWh sealed battery bank can provide up to four of five days of autonomy for the emergency loads connected to the system.

Grid-tied photovoltaic systems can be easily replicated across other non-residential and residential buildings across Canada. Over its useful lifetime of more than 40 years, one 100 watt solar module operating in Canada will produce more than 10 mWh of power.

Remote VHF/UHF repeater sites and TV broadcast repeaters are amongst the most typical telecommunications applications to supply loads of 2 kW or more.

Situation
A reliable power supply was required to meet the 450 W, 48 VDC continuous power demand of nine UHF repeaters in Peru. Remote power system A solar array consisting of 56, SIEMENS SP75 solar modules was installed upon a pre-manufactured ground structure. The solar array was split into three sub-arrays two of which were controlled by a our PV3-120 controller, a third connected directly to the 1200 Ah Sonnenshein A600 Solar battery bank. The PV3 controller offered two redundant 60 A controllers and mercury contactors for failsafe operation.

Solution
Shipping of the complete system including drawings in English and Spanish, custom mounting structure, the pre-assembly and wiring of the modules into 48 VDC panels, controllers and other balance of system components and packaging of material into wooden shipping crates was completed within two months.

Results
All systems are installed and operational.

Outdoor lighting systems

Matrix Energy recently supplied 42 solar energy systems to power LED lights on trees in Torontos Bloor West Village.

The application of solar energy technology to outdoor lighting systems enables Matrix to design and supply systems for urban and remote areas that lack direct access to conventional power or where it is cost prohibitive.

Matrixs solar lighting systems, featuring either Low Pressure Sodium (LPS) or LED streetlights, are highly reliable and maintenance-free. The lens design reduces light pollution while improving light output. The LED fixtures offer standard light output of 1260 lumens yet consumes only 20W of power, and have a life of over 50,000+ hours!!

Lighting system

A 40 ft tall Cross was originally installed on the mountain within the city of Rigaud, Quebec, Canada in 1852 and first illuminated on October 30, 1950, however, a forest fire soon thereafter destroyed the electrical system.

Subsequent attempts were made to re-illuminate the Cross, however, costs for conventional power lines became prohibitive and concern for the natural habitat of certain bird, animal and insect species precluded other options. A number of conventional projection lighting and illumination approaches were proposed and evaluated, however, none offered an effective, low cost, long term solution.

As a millennium project, a team of city councilors committed to re-lighting the Cross and installing a mountaintop lookout for hikers.

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Remote power system
Fifteen SIEMENS SP75 solar modules coupled with a dual circuit Pulse controller and 4620 Ah BAE gel battery bank were installed within the basement of the mountaintop lookout. The lookout was oriented and constructed as to optimize the position of the solar modules and for housing the batteries and controls. Given the local winter weather conditions, the solar array and battery bank were sized for 21 days of operation under no sun conditions at -20 C ambient temperatures.

Solution
Three 100 ft strings of LED rope equipped with superbright LEDs were installed on the Cross offering light life of 100,000 hrs; drastically reduced power consumption; minimal maintenance and the negligible potential for vandalism. Each 100 ft string of LED's is controlled by its own light controller offering multiple back-ups in the event of a single circuit failure

A year round cottage located on a island just south of Montreal, Quebec, Canada was constructed during the 1950's and had been serviced by the local utility via an overwater power cable.

Situation
Since it was first built ice storms had occasionally destroyed the transmission wire serving the household. A severe ice storm in 1998 again destroyed the transmission wire, however, Canadian Coast Guard and Environment Canada regulations prevented the reinstallation of the overhead line or the installation of a submersible power cable.

Provincial parks require a source of reliable power during three or four seasons each year for the information booths, water pumping, toilet facilities and outdoor signage amongst other needs.

Situation
Provincial parks like Camping de la Baie Ronde, north of Montreal, QC are located far from the electrical grid. Conventional fossil fueled generators are avoided due to their high operating costs, maintenance and the noise and air produced by them interferes with the nature of the facility.

Solution
In conjunction with responsible building design, including building orientation, insulation and energy efficient appliances, two 1.4 kW photovoltaic systems provide power for two services buildings. In addition to the solar array, a 1385 Ah sealed battery bank provides up to seven days autonomy for the expected 107 Ah daily load.

Results
Due to their reliability, cost effectiveness, low fire hazard potential and environmental benefits photovoltaic system is becoming the standard means of power production in Canada's national and provincial parks.