Al-Bahar completes the first solar photovoltaic (PV) project with Caterpillar Middle East, which includes design, installation, and commissioning of a grid-tied solar PV plant, for their regional facility.
Assuring sustainable development with cos-teffective solution, the firm waits the commissioning of the maiden solar project for Caterpillar Distribution Services Europe.
Inspired by the initiative Shams Dubai DEWAs first smart initiative to connect solar energy to buildings, a part of the Distributed Renewable Resources Generation programme, the project intends to enable the facility to reduce dependency on grid power. With objectives like reduction of carbon footprint, energy conservation by utilisation of a much cleaner energy source, the project aims to set up a PV plant that can be used for regional Microgrid training activities. It is expected to provide Caterpillar Distribution Services 237MWH Energy Yield annually, for the next 25 years. The project also supports Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 according to which the emirate aims to meet 75% of its needs through solar energy, by 2050.
The project is the first solar ground installation in JAFZA especially for a training center in the region. In addition to ground installations, the project also includes panels on a 6m high canopy that offers shade for generators.
The 138 KWp plant will cover 1700sqm, which can accommodate 1200 Caterpillar 115Wp Thin Film Solar PV Modules. Cat Photovoltaic Module PVT 115 with efficiency of around 16%, have been utilised for the project. The thin film technology has an advantage over other technologies like multi-crystalline. The modules generate more energy than competing modules with same power rating, the Cat PVT115 modules are made to delivers superior performance and reliability to our customers. The photovoltaic panels lower your cost of energy reducing utility bills for grid-connected installations.
In the future expansion the system will include two modes of operations, namely Grid Connected and Microgrid Modes, where the system can be seen performing with the gensets to reduce the genset fuel consumption. The system is developed in a way to connect to the state-owned electricity grid. The energy produced in the day will either be consumed by the Caterpillar learning facility or will be fed to the utility grid through a bidirectional meter.
The project includes four 25kw inverters and one 20kw inverter, offering a total of 120KW AC. Al-Bahar has run several simulations which indicates the current set-up and use of technology best suit the regional weather conditions, offering optimal results. For hassle free operations, Cat MMC-M Remote web based Monitoring System has been utilised for the project. The complete system will be monitored remotely using Cat Connect Technology to provide real time monitoring of the performance and health of the installation.