EA was contacted in the Spring of 2008 to do a site visit and energy audit for an equestrian center / residence near Smithers, BC. The client was concerned about power outages, and how she will manage her horses during an extended outage, as well as wished to lower the environmental footprint of the operation.

EA Technicians attended site, met with client, and set a plan in place. This was an extensive installation over 8 weeks, involving numerous local sub-trades, all with rather unpredictable weather around the corner.

Solution:

• 20' container, customized for cold northern climate housed system components.
• 4.2 kW PV array on two Zomeworks tracking arrays, 24 x Sharp 175 watt PV modules
• Dual Xantrex XW6048 inverters (12 kW continuous, 24 kW surge)
• 60 kWh battery bank, Global-Yuasa industrial 2V cells
• Yanmar 18 kW industrial diesel generator
• Grid-tie feeding surplus power back to grid
• Extensive rewiring of outbuildings to allow essential-loads to be automatically powered during a power failure by using dedicated load panels.
• Rainwater catchment and storage system. 20,000 L of underground storage
• Multi-stage water filtration system, automatic switch from cisterns to well water based on conditions.
• Extensive site trenching for water system and rewiring.
• Backup power system for well pump (on it's own electrical service 1 km from site)
• Remote monitoring and control system
• Installation of zero-energy horse watering systems to replace existing heater-based units

Moondance Acres