Custom Builders of Aspen Completes the Largest Residential Off Grid Power System in the State of Colorado

Basalt, CO, November 14, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Recently custom builders of aspen was contracted to build the largest residential off grid power system in the state of Colorado. Located 5 miles from the nearest power line, this 10,000 square foot residence, along with a 15,000 square foot horse barn was originally built with a new series “hybrid” solar inverted that lacked a solid history of reliable field operations. Consequently, after two years of trouble shooting to get the system to work reliably, the system was abandoned. A forensic report was completed and engineering for a new system was recommended. The original superintendent for the building, Karl k. schindler, custom builders of Aspen was hired to spear head the process.

Mechtric Engineering in Glenwood springs, Colorado, engineered the new 65kw system. The design was centered on “off the shelf” inverters that could be replaced easily if need be. Rather than one large inverter, the system incorporates three banks of three inverters, one for each 200 amp electrical panel on the property. The raytheon photopholtaic panels gather solar rays and send the power into an 82 battery bank, where the power is stored. The battery bank provides dc voltage to the inverters where it is converted into usable ac voltage. There are several transformers designed into the system to provide 220-240 volt power to several large pieces of equipment on the property.

The output of a solar panel is usually stated in watts, and the wattage is determined by multiplying the rated voltage by the rated amperage. The formula for wattage is volts time’s amps equals watts. In cba case each 24x48 panel has a rated voltage of 80 watts. So on an average 8 hours of peak sunlight per day, cba panels will produce 640-watt hours per day. There are 120 panels on cba system producing a total of 76,800 watts on average per day.

The deep cycle batteries used are designed to be discharged and then re-charged hundreds of thousands of times. These batteries are rated in amp hours (ah) usually in cba case, 100 hours. These lead-acid batteries are wet cell, which require maintenance. The water level is checked regularly and depending on the amount of sun, temperatures, system usage, etc. requires more or less maintenance.

Once the batteries become depleted, a 60kw onan gen set generator starts up and charges the batteries back to capacity. The gen set is powered by on site propane fuel. Seven, one thousand gallon underground tanks. The generator also requires typical maintenance. Oil and air filter changes, oil changes, and tune-ups. The propane is expensive, and given the winter months of short days of sunlight and cold temps, the propane gets expensive.

The biggest issue that has been faced is the monitoring of the system, which is essential because of its remote location. Shut downs because of low oil, or extreme cold weather are usually the issue. Several different monitoring devices are available. The best is an online monitoring program, which once accessed via the internet, allows us to monitor the entire system. Again, in the case of this system, the remote location precludes us from utilizing the online monitoring system. The remote location does not have cell service, and only a hard wire phone system is in place. A satellite system is an option but costly. A cba phone line system is essentially an alarm system that tells them that something is wrong, but not what. Consequently, a site visit is required if an alarm goes off.

Currently, custom builders of aspen is the aspen general contractor working on installing a hydroelectric power plant to supplement the system. The property owns water rights in a ditch system that provides water to the ranch for fire protection and piscatorial rights. The ditch comes off a historical point of diversion where a headgate has been installed, also by cboa. At the bottom of the ditch where the water enters the ranch at its upper meadow, there is a very steep section of the mountain where the water runs through a 12” 1300 foot section of piping. At this location, a hydroelectric power plant is being installed that according to engineering will deliver 24/7 power to charge the battery bank for nine months out of the year. This power plant should reduce the propane consumption by 60-70% per year.

cba as a long time aspen construction company has worked out the bugs in the system over the past year and has delivered a most reliable complete, off grid power system to one of the most remote ranches’ in pitkin county, Colorado. This system is the largest residential off grid power system in Colorado.