Bings Creek Recycling Center

Bings Creek Recycling Centre

North Cowichan, BC

Canada

Viridian Energy Cooperative had the opportunity to work with the Cowichan Valley Regional District to design and install a 23kW grid-tied solar power plant in 2016. The system is located on the roofs of the staff building and recycling center. The system employs 88 265W Hanwha solar modules and AP Systems 3-phase micro-inverters.

The system is generating 28,000kWh per annum and offseting about $3100 from the sites electrical costs. The system installed in late 2016 cost $72,000 ($3.09/watt).

Read more about the system on the CVRD website and this article from the Ladysmith Chronicle.

Hanwha Q.Pro 265W Mono-Crystalline Solar Modules
AP Systems YC1000-3 3-Phase Micro inverters
Schletter Racking
Structural Engineering Review by Sotola Engineering

FAQ: What is battery backup?

Battery Backup are batteries that store electricity from solar panels for when the panels can’t generate power. Battery Backup is most suited for remote location properties that aren’t able to connect to the BC Hydro grid and for rural locations where BC Hydro often has power outages. If you are connect to the BC Hydro grid and your power doesn’t go out much then “grid tie” is the best solution and avoids the cost of buying and installing batteries.

FAQ: What is the environmental impact of solar panels?

Every form of power generation has impacts. The benefit of solar panels is after they are installed they produced zero emissions and they can last from 20 to 30 years. More to come....