General Information

At SunWize, our solar power systems are built to meet the unique demands of every project. By combining industry-leading components like Morningstar’s GenStar MPPT and our expert system design, we create comprehensive, efficient solutions tailored to each application.

In this case study, SunWize’s engineering team tackled a project with significant environmental and space limitations. Despite the challenges, our team delivered a modernized system with increased power capacity and improved performance. By carefully analyzing the site’s requirements, goals, and constraints, we developed a solution that integrates seamlessly into the existing infrastructure while overcoming environmental hurdles.

This project exemplifies SunWize’s commitment to delivering innovative solar power systems that maximize efficiency and reliability, even in the most challenging conditions.

SunWize Innovates to Meet Increased Power Demand in System Modernization

SunWize’s case involved an already existing 10-year-old system that needed an update to keep up with increased power demand. The system is designed for a communications and remote monitoring application. The client required an increase in power output by three to four times the established system’s power, increasing from 1,500 to over 5,000 watts. The most straightforward solution is an increase in solar array size. However, due to the environmental limitations, the SunWize team was required to get innovative about the system renovation.

Project Constraints and Environment

When tasked with upgrading a 10-year-old solar power system for communications and remote monitoring, the SunWize team faced a unique challenge: increasing power output from 1,500 watts to over 5,000 watts—more than triple the original capacity—within tight environmental constraints.

While expanding the solar array size might seem like the simplest solution, site limitations required a more innovative approach. Leveraging SunWize’s expertise in designing high-efficiency, off-grid solar systems, our team re-engineered the system to maximize power generation within the existing space.

This project underscores SunWize’s commitment to delivering customized, forward-thinking solutions that meet evolving power demands, even in the face of environmental challenges.

Innovative Solar Redesign To Optimize Performance

When faced with rugged terrain and limited site accessibility, SunWize developed a tailored solution for upgrading a solar power system. System components were shipped in small, manageable parts, enabling seamless transport to the remote location. To maximize space, the design utilized the existing mechanical infrastructure while introducing a fully modernized electrical system. This approach maintained the original system’s footprint while optimizing the installation process for simplicity and efficiency.

The upgraded power system relied exclusively on solar energy and batteries, with additional cold-weather protections added to ensure reliable performance in extreme conditions. For charge control, SunWize selected Morningstar’s GenStar GS-MPPT-100, a robust and versatile choice. These controllers, known for their ability to handle solar arrays up to 150% of their rated power, offered advanced programming, integrated communication capabilities, and industry-leading reliability. Their successful completion of a rigorous cybersecurity test—the first of its kind for solar charge controllers—enabled secure remote monitoring for the first time in this environment.

By consolidating charge control, load management, and communications, SunWize delivered a streamlined and efficient design that reduced component complexity. To navigate budget constraints, the design phase was funded separately and completed ahead of final project approval, ensuring a seamless transition to implementation.

Customized Solar Solution

SunWize successfully tackled significant logistical, environmental, and technical challenges to modernize solar power systems in a remote, off-grid location. By combining advanced bifacial solar modules, dependable charge controllers, and a phased funding approach, SunWize delivered a customized solution that dramatically increased power capacity, enhanced winter performance, and introduced remote monitoring capabilities for the first time.

This project highlights SunWize’s expertise in overcoming complex site conditions to provide efficient, reliable solar power systems. It’s a testament to our commitment to designing and delivering high-quality solar solutions, even in the most demanding environments.